New RACGP Guide Supports Safe Antidepressant Deprescribing in General Practice
21 Nov 2025
The guide is part of the First do no harm: A guide to choosing wisely in general practice series and comes with a patient resource to support shared decision-making.
Long-term use of antidepressants, including SSRIs and SNRIs, is rising in Australia. In 2023–24, 14% of Australians were dispensed antidepressants, with 92% prescribed by GPs. While guidelines recommend treatment for 6–12 months for an episode of anxiety or depression, the average duration is around four years.
The guide provides step-by-step advice for deprescribing, including:
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Using shared decision-making with patients and care teams.
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Planning tapering schedules to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
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Monitoring and educating patients about withdrawal, relapse, and side effects.
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Considering deprescribing for patients with mild, short-term, or resolved symptoms.
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Maintaining non-pharmacological treatments alongside medication review.
Associate Professor Caroline Johnson, RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care member, emphasised that deprescribing should be planned and supervised, with GPs regularly reviewing whether the benefits of ongoing medication outweigh potential risks. She also noted the importance of listening to patients, as long-term users can experience significant withdrawal effects even at low doses.
The guide encourages GPs to discuss the risk of withdrawal from the start of treatment and to provide patients with reliable resources to support safe tapering.
The new guide forms part of RACGP’s ongoing effort to reduce harm from overuse of medications and ensure evidence-based, patient-centred care.
Source: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
