Psychiatric medication

Avoid stopping medication suddenly

It's best to reduce your dose gradually. Stopping medications suddenly (going cold turkey) can make withdrawal symptoms worse, and for some medications can be dangerous. It's important to get more medication in advance so that you don't have to stop suddenly.

If you're running out of medication and need an urgent prescription:

• contact NHS 111 (England) or NHS 111 (Wales), who may be able to arrange for you to see a doctor or collect an emergency prescription
• contact your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment
• contact your local crisis team (CRHT), if you're under their care.

See the NHS website for more information about getting an urgent prescription.

Could I be forced to stay on medication?

Generally it’s your right to choose whether you come off medication, but there are some situations where your right to choose may be affected. For example, if:

• you are sectioned (detained) under some sections of the Mental Health Act
• you don't have capacity to decide whether to have treatment
• it's emergency life-saving treatment.

See our page on consent to treatment for more information, including advice on how to get help making your voice heard.