Stopping or changing your medication

Medication is never mandatory. You can stop or change your treatment at any time, but the decision is best made with your clinician. Some medications need to be reduced gradually to avoid withdrawal effects, and switches are usually smoother when planned together.

Reasons people stop or change

• Side effects that are not improving.
• A change in life circumstances.
• A wish to try non-medication approaches first.
• Pregnancy planning, where adjustments may be needed.
• A sense that the current medication is not the right fit, even if there is no specific problem.

How to do it safely

Talk to your clinician before stopping. Together you can plan the taper, the timing, and the next step. If you have started medication elsewhere and want Lighthouse Pathways to take over, that is also possible after a clinical review.

Stopping does not mean the diagnosis disappears

Your diagnosis remains valid. The strategies and adjustments your assessment has unlocked, including reasonable adjustments at work or in education, continue to apply.