The Dangers of Stopping Medication Abruptly: Is There a Safe Way to Stop Taking Them?

In 2024, over 369.7K people in Franklin County, OH, were prescribed medications. Many of these medications are dangerous to suddenly stop taking. At SUN Behavioral Health Columbus, we want to help you safely understand the dangers of stopping medication abruptly and the safe alternative steps to take if other options are necessary.

People have many reasons for wanting to stop taking a specific medication. Some wish to stop because of the side effects they are experiencing. In contrast, others can no longer afford the medication for various reasons, such as the loss of insurance or income. In 2021, a study found that 8.2% of Americans abruptly stopped taking their medications due to cost.

For other people, the reasoning might be that they are feeling healthier and healed. In this case, they might want to stop taking the medication because they believe they no longer need it. The flip side also happens when someone thinks the medication is not working, so it is wasting their time and resources. 

No matter the reasoning behind wishing to stop taking medication, it is still potentially dangerous to stop “cold turkey” without talking to your doctor first. Never do this without a medical professional's assistance, observation, or advice. It comes with risky and life-threatening effects. This is especially true if the medication you are stopping comes with severe withdrawal symptoms or if you are not healed from the condition it is treating.  

When someone suddenly stops taking a specific prescription medication, it has many potential side effects. Your body may be relying on that medication to keep it appearing healthy, and when you take that away, it has a variety of consequences. 

One of those consequences is getting sick. You will have flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, chills, or diarrhea. Some people also experience headaches, body aches and pains, and insomnia after quitting their medication. It also includes having disturbing thoughts or experiencing hallucinations. 

Your symptoms will also get worse (rebound symptoms). You decide to stop taking medication because you believe you are suddenly better. While taking the medicine, you feel better and healthier because it works. However, this feeling of being better does not necessarily mean you are. Healing takes time. Just because a medication makes you feel better after a couple of weeks or months, it doesn’t mean that your body or brain is ready to wean off of it. When you stop taking the medication, your symptoms associated with it will return to where they were before, or maybe worse, because of something called the rebound effect. 

Depending on the medication, it might lead to a coma, death, or other dangerous consequences if stopped abruptly. For example, if you were taking a medication for panic attacks and you suddenly stop taking it, your panic attacks will come back with a vengeance. Not all medications will cause this, and it varies from person to person. With that said, talking with your doctor about the potential risks will help you and your doctor determine the best course of action for weaning off safely. 

When you stop taking any substance, including prescription medications, there is the possibility that you will experience withdrawal symptoms. When you have been taking this medication for some time, your brain becomes dependent on the medication’s benefits. Not all medications will result in withdrawal symptoms, but some are more prone to the possibility. This is why talking with your doctor about removing the medication is essential. They will be able to let you know if it is safe to suddenly stop taking it or guide you through the process of weaning off it. 

When you stop taking them or reduce them quickly, you will experience symptoms. These symptoms are your brain’s reaction to the medication being taken away. The longer you have been taking this medication and the higher the dosage, will result in a higher chance of experiencing these symptoms. 

Not every medication will result in medication withdrawal, but some medications are more prone to it. The chances that a specific medication will lead to medication withdrawal upon not taking it depend on a variety of factors, from the type of medication, how long you have taken it, and your physical and mental health. Other factors include the dosage, other medications you are taking, and if you have been using other substances or alcohol with your prescription. 

If abruptly stopping a medication can bring dangerous symptoms, is there a way to stop taking a medication you no longer want to be on? The answer to this question is yes. You can stop any medication with your doctor’s help, but it might not happen immediately. 

First and foremost, discuss your intentions to stop taking medication with your doctor. They know the exact risks of your medication and dosage and associated variables. In addition, they will tell if you need the medication tapered off or if it can be stopped immediately. They will also provide you with a reminder that the medication might be providing you with a false sense of healing. You might feel better, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are. 

In addition, your doctor might prescribe you a different medication if you feel it is causing adverse side effects or is ineffective. Finding the right combination for you is not an easy one-size-fits-all situation. It may require trial and error, and honesty with your provider makes this process smoother. Honest communication allows your doctor to make accurate notes in your chart about which medications do not work for you and which do. 

It is essential that you know weaning off medications takes time. It is not something that is done overnight. Depending on the medication and dosage, it will take several weeks to months. You must let your body get used to the lower dosages. How much should be tapered and when will vary from person to person, medication to medication, and dosage to dosage.

Never try to do this on your own. Your doctor will consider many risks and variables when prescribing your medication for tapering. They know the dosages and when and which ones you should take. Your doctor will continue monitoring your tapering process. 

Finding a medication that works best for your needs does not have to be challenging. Attending mental health treatment allows you to work with professionals who are dedicated to helping you find the right combination of medication and therapy for your mental health needs. While medication is not always necessary in treating mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders, it is proven to be a lifesaving tool for many individuals. 

At SUN, you will work directly with a mental health professional through a no-cost care assessment. They will consider your needs and concerns, your doctor’s recommendations, and previous treatment experiences to determine the best plan for living a healthier life. 

SUN Behavioral Health Columbus solves unmet needs in Ohio. Many people decide to stop taking medication because they don’t know where to go for their prescription. Our partnership with Janus Pharmacy eliminates this need, as patients can continue to take their medications and even have them shipped to their homes after leaving our care. For more information, contact us today at 614-706-2786.