Turning the Tide on Overmedication: Dr. Mark Horowitz’s Approach to Deprescribing, Part 1

Intelligent Medicine

Dr. Mark Horowitz, a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry from the UK and co-author of “The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs,” delves into the complexities of deprescribing psychiatric medications such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and sleep aids. Dr. Horowitz outlines the origins and importance of the deprescribing movement, explaining how polypharmacy and overprescription have necessitated a careful approach to reducing medication loads safely. He discusses the physiological and withdrawal challenges faced by patients on long-term psychiatric medication, emphasizing the vital role of slow and individualized tapering processes. He covers the substantial influence of pharmaceutical companies on prescription guidelines in the US compared to the UK, shedding light on the differences in medication usage and prescribing cultures. Dr. Horowitz also debunks the chemical imbalance theory of depression, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of mental health issues and their treatment. He introduces Outro, a new clinic founded by Dr. Horowitz in California, aimed at supporting individuals through the deprescribing process.