In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler is joined by Drs. Stephen Stahl and Jeffrey Strawn to discuss deprescribing practices in psychiatry. They explore why deprescribing is an essential clinical skill, how to determine whether a patient still needs a medication, dose, or combination, and how to approach tapering in a way that balances relapse prevention, withdrawal risk, and patient-centered care. The conversation also covers practical considerations for deprescribing antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and sedative-hypnotics, with attention to common pitfalls and strategies for safer, more intentional medication management.
Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, DSc (Hon.), is a psychiatrist, psychopharmacologist, and internationally recognized educator in clinical neuroscience and psychopharmacology. He is the author of widely used educational resources including Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology, Stahl's Prescriber's Guide, and Stahl's Deprescriber's Guide, and his work focuses on translating complex neurobiology into practical clinical concepts for mental health clinicians.
Jeffrey R. Strawn, MD, FAACAP, is a Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Clinical & Translational Pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is Director of the UC Anxiety Disorders Research Program and Associate Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience at UC, and he is the author of Stahl's Deprescriber's Guide.
Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.
Resources
Strawn, JR, Stahl SM. Stahl's Deprescriber's Guide. Cambridge University Press; 2026. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009642187
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