Kennedy launches initiative to curb SSRI prescribing and support antidepressant withdrawal
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 5
Kennedy launches initiative to curb SSRI prescribing and support antidepressant withdrawal
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 5
At a MAHA Institute summit on Monday, the US health secretary said 16.6% of adults currently take SSRIs, including Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil and Prozac.
The plan includes clinician training, reimbursement changes and clinical guidelines to help patients taper off medication and encourage alternatives such as therapy, nutrition and exercise.
SSRIs, introduced nearly 40 years ago as first-line depression and anxiety treatments, are widely prescribed, but many patients report withdrawal symptoms such as “brain zaps”, restlessness and flu-like effects.
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