Help Tapering or Stopping Psychiatric Medication in Florida

What is deprescribing?

Deprescribing means lowering the dose of a medication, or stopping it, in a planned and supervised way. The goal is not “no medication.” The goal is the right medication at the right dose for you today. For some people, that means fewer medicines. For others, it means staying on what is working.

Medicines that helped in the past may not be needed now. Life changes, health changes, and other medicines get added over the years. A careful review can help you and your provider decide what still makes sense.

Is tapering right for you?

Patients often ask us about tapering when:

• They have felt well for a long time and wonder if they still need the medication.
• Side effects bother them, such as weight gain, tiredness, sexual side effects, or feeling emotionally “flat.”
• They take several psychiatric medications and want to simplify.
• They have taken a sleeping pill or anti-anxiety medication for months or years.
• They are an older adult with more medications, falls, dizziness, or memory concerns.
• They are planning a pregnancy. Please talk with us and your OB provider before any change.

Sometimes the safest choice is to keep a medication. We will give you an honest opinion and respect your decision.

Medications we can help you review

• Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, and others)
• Benzodiazepines and other anti-anxiety medicines
• Sleep medications, such as zolpidem or trazodone
• Antipsychotics used for mood, sleep, or as an “add-on”
• ADHD stimulants and non-stimulants
• Mood stabilizers and other psychiatric medicines added over time

This service does not include medical detox for alcohol or opioids. If you need that level of care, we will help you find the right place.

How tapering works at SteadyMind

1. A full review. We talk about your history, current symptoms, every medication you take, and why you want to make a change. New patients start with a 60-minute evaluation.
2. A plan you help make. Together we decide if now is a good time, which medicine to start with, and how fast to go. Usually we change one medication at a time.
3. Slow, small steps. Dose cuts are small and spaced out, often over weeks to months. When needed, we may use smaller tablet sizes or liquid forms to make smaller steps possible.
4. Regular check-ins. Follow-up visits help us tell the difference between withdrawal symptoms and your original symptoms coming back. We can pause or slow down at any time.
5. Teamwork. With your permission, we coordinate with your primary care provider, therapist, or pharmacist.
6. A plan for after. When the taper ends, you will know what to watch for and when to reach out.

Withdrawal or symptoms coming back?

Withdrawal symptoms often start within days of a dose change. They can include dizziness, “brain zaps,” flu-like feelings, upset stomach, trouble sleeping, irritability, or anxiety. They usually ease with time or by slowing the taper.

A return of depression or anxiety tends to come on more slowly, over weeks. Either way, tell us. You do not have to figure it out alone.

Tips while you taper

• Keep a short daily note about sleep, mood, and any new symptoms.
• Avoid changing other medicines or supplements at the same time unless we discuss it.
• Limit alcohol and cannabis, which can make withdrawal and sleep harder.
• Protect your sleep, move your body, and keep up with therapy if you have it.
• Plan your taper around calmer times, not during a big move, new job, or major stress.

Safety, prescribing rules, and honesty

Every plan follows an individual assessment. No specific result or timeline is guaranteed. If a taper involves a controlled medication, we follow federal and Florida prescribing rules, including a review of Florida’s prescription monitoring database. Some situations may need extra visits or records.

Read more about psychiatric medications and care for older adults.

Cost and booking

Both SteadyMind providers help patients taper medications. Alexeis Menendez-Suarez, PMHNP-BC offers care in English and Spanish. Rosemarie A. Zoet, PMHNP-BC offers care in English. Both accept self-pay and select insurance plans through Headway. Alexeis also sees eligible Medicare, Florida Medicaid, and TRICARE East patients after plan verification.

Self-pay: the 60-minute evaluation is $139 (regularly $179). Follow-ups are $75 for 15 minutes or $100 for 30 minutes (regularly $120). See insurance and self-pay information.