Tapering Off Fluoxetine

Recommended Discontinuation Approach

• For patients on 10 mg daily fluoxetine, a conservative approach can be taken by reducing to 10 mg every other day for 1-2 weeks, then stopping completely, as recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians 1
• The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that follow-up within 2-4 weeks after stopping fluoxetine is necessary to assess for any discontinuation symptoms 1

Special Considerations

• For patients with a history of severe depression or long-term fluoxetine use, non-pharmacologic support strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and stress management can be considered during and after discontinuation, as suggested by clinical guidelines 2