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guidelines for switching antidepressants
Management:
Strategies:
1) direct switch
a) one SSRI to another SSRI
b) one SNRI to another SNRI (venlafaxine, duloxetine)
2) cross tapering
a) in general, taper over 4 weeks
b) SSRI to bupropion, Remeron
c) Paxil, Effexor
d) adverse effects may be due to
- discontinuing drug
- new drug
- depression or anxiety if neither drug is working
3) washout period prior to new antidepressant
- switching to or from MAO inhibitor [1]
General
pharmacy
References
- Prescriber's Letter 13(5): 2006
How to switch antiepressants
Detail-Document#: 220605
(subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com