Antidepressant Taper Schedule Calculator

Overview: Why Use an Antidepressant Taper Schedule?

Antidepressant medications act on brain chemistry, including neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Because of these effects, both starting and stopping treatment usually need to be done gradually. Reducing a dose too quickly can increase the chance of uncomfortable withdrawal-like symptoms or a return of the original mood or anxiety symptoms.

This antidepressant taper schedule calculator is designed to help you sketch out a gradual step-down plan from a current daily dose to a lower target dose over a period of time that you choose. It can support a more structured conversation with your doctor, psychiatrist, or other prescriber about how quickly to adjust, but it does not replace professional medical advice.

The tool uses simple arithmetic to divide the total dose reduction into equal steps spaced over your chosen taper duration. You enter:

• Current daily dose (mg) – the dose you are taking now, in milligrams.
• Goal dose (mg) – the dose you and your prescriber are aiming for (which may be zero if you plan to stop).
• Taper duration (weeks) – how long the taper will last from start to finish.
• Adjustment interval (days) – how often to change the dose (for example, every 7 days for weekly changes).

The calculator then estimates how many dose changes will fit into that time frame and how much the dose should change at each step if you use an even, linear taper.

How the Antidepressant Taper Calculator Works

The calculator assumes that your dose will move in equal steps from your starting dose down (or up, if needed) to the goal dose. It does not take into account specific medications, half-lives, or other pharmacologic details; instead, it uses a straightforward linear formula. This makes the logic transparent and easy to adjust with your clinician.

We define the variables as follows:

• S = starting dose in milligrams (mg)
• F = final or goal dose in milligrams (mg)
• W = taper duration in weeks
• D = adjustment interval in days
• N = number of dose-change steps

The number of days in the taper is approximately 7 × W. The number of steps is the number of adjustment intervals that fit into this time, rounded down to a whole number:

In plain language, this means the number of steps is the greatest whole number less than or equal to (7 × W) ÷ D.

The total dose change over the taper is:

Total change = S − F (if you are tapering down). The calculator then divides that total change into N equal pieces. The dose change at each step is:

At each adjustment point, the dose moves by this amount toward the goal dose. In a simple linear taper down, each new dose is:

• New dose = Previous dose − (dose change per step)

If your starting dose is already lower than your goal dose, the same approach can be used to step up, flipping the sign of the dose change.

Interpreting the Calculator Inputs and Outputs

When you use the calculator, it is helpful to understand what typical values might look like and how they affect the schedule:

• Current daily dose (mg): Common antidepressant doses vary widely (for example, 10–60 mg for some SSRIs, or higher for others). Always enter the dose your prescriber has actually recommended, not a guess or a standard label dose.
• Goal dose (mg): Some people plan to taper to 0 mg (full discontinuation). Others may plan to reduce to a lower maintenance dose, such as from 40 mg to 20 mg. Enter whatever goal you are currently discussing with your clinician.
• Taper duration (weeks): Longer tapers generally mean smaller changes at each step and may be easier to tolerate for some people. Shorter tapers involve larger changes per step and may be associated with more symptoms for some users. Common time frames range from a few weeks to many months, depending on the situation.
• Adjustment interval (days): A weekly interval (7 days) is common in simple examples. Some plans use 14-day (every two weeks) intervals, especially near the end of a taper, while others may adjust more frequently for very small dose changes.

The calculator output is a list or table of dates or steps with the corresponding dose. It is best thought of as a draft schedule that you can print or copy and then review with your prescriber to confirm whether it is appropriate or needs modification.

Worked Example: 12-Week Taper from 40 mg to 10 mg

Consider a person who is taking 40 mg of an antidepressant daily and plans, with their prescriber, to reduce to 10 mg over 12 weeks. They decide on weekly adjustments, so the interval is 7 days. We have:

• S = 40 mg
• F = 10 mg
• W = 12 weeks
• D = 7 days

First, calculate the number of steps:

7 × W = 7 × 12 = 84 days in the taper window.

N = floor(84 ÷ 7) = floor(12) = 12 steps.

Total change = S − F = 40 − 10 = 30 mg over the entire taper.

Dose change per step = 30 ÷ 12 = 2.5 mg per step.

Starting at 40 mg, the dose would decrease by 2.5 mg every week until 10 mg is reached. The first few weeks might look like this:

In real life, practical details can complicate this neat pattern. For example, you may not have a 37.5 mg tablet available, or the medication may come only in certain strengths or as an extended-release capsule that should not be split. In those situations, a prescriber may adjust the schedule to match available tablet sizes, use liquid formulations, or consider a compounding pharmacy.

Comparing Taper Approaches

The calculator uses a linear taper, but in practice, clinicians may choose different patterns. The table below contrasts a few common conceptual approaches. These are examples only, not recommendations.

Your prescriber may combine elements of these approaches or adjust them based on your specific situation. The calculator is most useful as a starting template that you can reshape together.

Monitoring Symptoms and Adjusting the Plan

During a taper, it is helpful to track how you feel and share that information with your healthcare professional. Many people find it useful to keep brief daily or weekly notes about:

• Mood (depression, anxiety, irritability)
• Sleep quality and changes in sleep schedule
• Physical symptoms (for example, dizziness, headaches, nausea, flu-like feelings)
• Energy level and concentration
• Any unusual thoughts, strong urges, or changes in behavior

If symptoms become difficult to manage, some prescribers may:

• Pause the taper at the current dose for a period of time.
• Use smaller dose reductions at each step.
• Lengthen the interval between changes.
• Consider other supports, such as therapy, sleep strategies, or adjusting other medications.

Because every person’s medical history and circumstances are different, the same numerical schedule can feel easy for one individual and very challenging for another. This is one reason why it is important not to use the calculator as a stand-alone instruction, but as an educational tool within an ongoing clinical relationship.

Important Limitations, Assumptions, and Safety Notes

This tool has several important limitations and assumptions that you should understand before using it to guide discussions about your care.

• Educational tool only: The calculator does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is meant for general education and planning conversations, not for making independent decisions about your medication.
• No specific drug guidance: Different antidepressants have different half-lives, mechanisms of action, and withdrawal or discontinuation profiles. The calculator does not distinguish between medications and does not adjust for these differences.
• No consideration of other conditions: The tool does not account for other mental health conditions, physical health problems, substance use, pregnancy, or other factors that may significantly affect tapering decisions.
• Linear step assumption: The model assumes equal dose changes at equal time intervals. Many real-world tapers are non-linear, particularly near the end, or use mixed strategies based on a person’s response.
• Tablet and formulation limits: The schedule may suggest doses that are not available in standard tablet strengths or that conflict with instructions for extended-release or controlled-release formulations. Never split, crush, or alter a medication unless your prescriber or pharmacist has confirmed it is safe.
• Rounding and practical dosing: In practice, doses are often rounded to the nearest available tablet size or liquid measurement. Your final plan may not match the calculator output exactly.

Because antidepressant dosing is a medical decision, always involve a qualified healthcare professional in any plan to start, stop, or change a prescription medication. If you experience severe symptoms, such as intense worsening of depression, thoughts of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, agitation, or any other alarming changes, seek urgent medical help right away.

Using the Calculator Safely

To use this tool in a way that supports your health and safety:

• Discuss your goals and concerns with your prescriber before you begin tapering.
• Use realistic inputs (doses you can actually take, durations that your prescriber supports).
• Print or copy the schedule and bring it to an appointment to review, modify, or replace with a clinically recommended plan.
• Do not adjust your dose more quickly than recommended, even if symptoms are mild.
• Do not make sudden, large changes in your dose without direct medical guidance.

With careful planning and ongoing communication with your healthcare team, many people can reduce or discontinue antidepressant medications in a way that feels manageable. This calculator is one tool among many to help make that planning more concrete and transparent.