Medication Tapering & Deprescribing
A slower, individualized approach to coming off long-term psychiatric medications.
Stopping a medication isn't always as simple as lowering the dose for a few weeks.
For some patients, medication withdrawal can be complicated, and tapering too quickly may result in significant symptoms. Our Medication Tapering & Deprescribing Program provides physician-led, individualized care for patients who want to carefully reduce or discontinue appropriate long-term psychiatric medications.
Rather than following a one-size-fits-all schedule, tapering decisions are made collaboratively based on the medication, duration of use, medical history, previous taper attempts, symptoms, and how you respond along the way.
This isn't a race to zero. The goal is a safe, tolerable and medically appropriate taper.
You may be a good candidate if:
You have taken a medication long-term and would like to explore reducing or discontinuing it.
Previous attempts to taper caused significant symptoms.
You have been told to simply “cut the dose in half” or taper much faster than you feel comfortable doing.
You need more time and follow-up than a traditional medication-management appointment allows.
You want a physician who will listen to your symptoms and adjust the taper when clinically appropriate.
You are medically and psychiatrically stable enough to taper safely in an outpatient setting.
We currently evaluate appropriate patients seeking tapering or deprescribing of benzodiazepines, sleep medications, antidepressants, gabapentinoids and selected other medications.
*Not every patient or medication is appropriate for outpatient tapering. An initial physician evaluation is required before acceptance into the program.
Medication Tapering Program Pricing
Our tapering program is membership-based because successful medication tapering often requires something traditional appointment-based care cannot easily provide: time, continuity, flexibility, and access to your physician when symptoms change.
Every taper is individualized. Some patients need frequent visits and adjustments early in the process, while others may go longer between visits as their taper stabilizes.
Step 1: Taper Program Evaluation
$199
60-minute physician evaluation
Before enrolling in the program, every patient begins with a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether outpatient medication tapering is appropriate and whether our program is a good fit for your needs.
Your evaluation may include:
Review of your current medications and doses
Medication and prescribing history
Duration of medication use
Previous taper attempts and withdrawal symptoms
Relevant medical and psychiatric history
Current symptoms and functional status
Discussion of your goals for tapering
Assessment of whether outpatient tapering can be safely managed through our practice
Discussion of a potential tapering approach
The evaluation does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
If we believe your taper requires a different level of care or resources that our practice cannot safely provide, we will discuss that with you. Our first priority is determining whether we can appropriately and safely manage your care.
Step 2: Taper Program Membership
$399/month
For patients accepted into the program, membership provides ongoing physician management throughout the tapering process.
Your membership includes:
Individualized taper planning
Your taper is developed around your medication history, goals, symptoms and response to dose reductions—not a predetermined one-size-fits-all schedule.
Typically 2–4 physician visits per month during active tapering
Visits may be in person or, when medically appropriate, by telephone or telemedicine after care has been established in person. Visit frequency may decrease as your taper becomes stable.
Ongoing dose adjustments
Your taper can be slowed, held or modified when clinically appropriate based on your response.
Prescription management
Medication prescriptions and dose changes related to your taper are managed as part of the program when medically appropriate.
Between-visit communication
Contact your physician during normal business hours with taper-related questions, symptoms or concerns that arise between scheduled visits.
Urgent after-hours access
If a taper-related symptom or problem arises that reasonably cannot wait until the next business day, members have access to their physician after hours.
Long-term continuity
Some medication tapers take months or longer. Membership allows us to follow your progress throughout the process rather than trying to fit a complex taper into isolated office visits.
What is not included
Membership does not include:
Emergency medical or psychiatric care
Hospital or emergency department services
Laboratory testing
Medication or compounding pharmacy costs
Outside specialists, therapists or psychiatric services
Routine non-urgent communication after hours
After-hours access is intended for urgent taper-related concerns that cannot reasonably wait until the next business day. It is not a substitute for emergency care.
Step 3: Transitioning to Standard Primary Care
The intensive taper program isn't meant to last forever.
Medication tapering is highly individualized. Depending on the medication, duration of use, previous taper history and your response to dose reductions, the intensive phase of care may last approximately 6–18 months or longer in some cases.
As your taper progresses, you may need fewer visits and less frequent medication adjustment.
Once your taper is complete—or you have reached a stable point where intensive taper management is no longer necessary—you may be eligible to transition from the $399/month Taper Program into our standard Direct Primary Care membership.
Your physician will work with you to determine when that transition is medically appropriate.
This allows you to maintain continuity with a physician who already knows your history while moving from intensive taper support into routine primary care.
This Is Not a Race to Zero
The goal of our tapering program is not to discontinue your medication as quickly as possible.
Some patients tolerate reductions relatively easily. Others require smaller reductions, longer holds or considerably more time.
We will work together to determine the pace that is medically appropriate for you.
60-Minute Taper Evaluation: $199
Ongoing Taper Membership: $399/month