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Introducing Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines

All authorised users of the NHS Wales e-Library now have access the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines  – a comprehensive resource used for safely reducing or stopping (deprescribing) antidepressants, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids and z-drugs for patients. 

 

The new resource – available through the NHS Wales e-Library's Guidelines page  complements the continuing access to Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines whose 15th edition will be released in April 2025. 

 

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines provides guidance for clinicians through evidence-based, comprehensive and authoritative information on this important aspect of treatment, derived from the latest research and insights from clinical practice (including from patient experts). 

 

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines covers topics such as: 

 

  • Why and when to deprescribe antidepressants, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids and z-drugs 
  • Barriers and enablers to deprescribing including physical dependence, social circumstances, and knowledge about the discontinuation process 
  • Distinguishing withdrawal symptoms, such as poor mood, anxiety, insomnia, and a variety of physical symptoms from symptoms of the underlying disorder that medication was intended to treat 
  • The difference between physical dependence and addiction/substance use disorder 
  • Explanation of why and how to implement hyperbolic tapering in clinical practice 
  • Specific guidance on formulations of medication and techniques for making gradual reductions, including using liquid forms of medication, and other approaches 
  • Step-by-step guidance for safely stopping all commonly used antidepressants, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids and z-drugs, including fast, moderate and slow tapering regimens or schedules for each drug, and guidance on how to tailor these to an individual 
  • Troubleshooting issues which can arise on stopping these medications, including akathisia, withdrawal symptoms, acute or protracted, and relapse.
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You can also locate other e-resources on the NHS Wales e-Library site including links to databases and tools to support medicines information.  

 

Subscribed to resources will require you to log in with your NHS Wales email address and password or an NHS Wales OpenAthens account or, if you are on an NHS Wales site, access instantly through the NHS Wales network.  

 

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