Safe
Deprescribing
The thoughtful, supervised process of reducing or stopping psychiatric medications that no longer provide meaningful benefit — or whose risks now outweigh their value. Dr. Farkas's pharmaceutical research background makes her exceptionally capable of this nuanced, undervalued work.
How Dr. Farkas approaches
Deprescribing
Evidence-based, neurobiologically-informed. Every prescribing decision is grounded in mechanism — not tradition or trial-and-error.
From evaluation to
lasting results
Deprescribing is used to treat
these conditions
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What to expect at
your first appointment
New patient evaluations are 30–60 minutes — never a rushed intake. Dr. Farkas takes your full psychiatric, medical, and medication history before making any prescribing decisions. You'll leave with a clear diagnosis, a treatment plan that makes sense to you, and a follow-up already scheduled.
Telehealth available throughout South Carolina and New York. In-person at our Hilton Head Island, SC office.
Ready for prescribing done
at the MD/PhD level?
30–60 minutes. Expert diagnosis. A treatment plan built around your specific neurobiology and goals.
Psychiatric deprescribing is the planned, supervised reduction or discontinuation of medications that no longer provide benefit or that carry unacceptable risk. Common targets: chronic benzodiazepines, unnecessary polypharmacy, medications continued past their useful duration, and anticholinergics in older adults. Deprescribing requires patient partnership, careful timing, and structured tapering protocols.
Key Takeaways
- Deprescribing is the planned, supervised reduction or stopping of medications that no longer help or carry too much risk.
- Common targets include long-term benzodiazepines, unnecessary combinations, and anticholinergics in older adults.
- Benzodiazepines are tapered slowly, because stopping quickly can cause withdrawal, seizures, or rebound anxiety.
- SSRIs and SNRIs can also cause discontinuation symptoms, so tapers are gradual.
↑ All psychopharmacology treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Why deprescribe?
Medications continued past their usefulness accumulate side effects, interactions, and cost without benefit. Systematic deprescribing improves cognition (particularly in older adults), reduces falls, and often improves overall well-being.
How are benzodiazepines tapered?
Slowly. Rapid discontinuation of chronic benzodiazepines can precipitate withdrawal, seizures, and rebound anxiety. Protocols typically reduce by 5–10% every 2–4 weeks, with adjustments based on tolerance. Longer half-life agents (diazepam, clonazepam) are often used as tapering platforms.
Are there medications with discontinuation syndromes?
Yes — SSRIs, SNRIs, and short-half-life benzodiazepines can produce discontinuation syndromes. Symptoms range from dizziness and flu-like feelings (SSRI/SNRI) to severe anxiety and seizures (benzodiazepines). Gradual tapering minimizes these.
Related pages
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