General Practitioner & Pharmacist Support for Discontinuing Long-term Antidepressants in Clinical… (NCT07398053) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
General Practitioner & Pharmacist Support for Discontinuing Long-term Antidepressants in Clinically Stable Patients
324 participantsStarted 2026-03-01
Plain-language summary
In Belgium, many adults who have suffered from depression keep using antidepressants on a daily basis for years afterwards, sometimes longer than guidelines recommend. Yet for some people who have been feeling well for a long time, this is no longer necessary, while the continued use of antidepressants can lead to side effects and causes additional costs for the healthcare system.
However, reducing the doses of antidepressants or stopping altogether is not always easy. Some patients are afraid that their depression will return, and GPs and pharmacists often find the subject difficult to broach.
This is why the GPS-AD study is investigating a new approach in which GPs and pharmacists work more closely together to provide better support to patients. First, the GP invites patients who have been taking antidepressants for a long time for a consultation. Together, they discuss whether tapering of the medication is reasonable and feasible. If they agree to stop the treatment, the GP draws up a tapering plan tailored to the patient. The pharmacist helps monitor this process, offering advice and support to the patient while the doses are gradually reduced.
The study will extend over a period of two years and will take place in GP practices throughout Belgium. The new approach based on closer collaboration between GPs and pharmacists will be compared to the current standard of care, to determine whether it helps more long-term users to stop taking antidepressants without experiencing a recurrence of depressive symptoms.
The name of the study, GPS-AD (General Practitioner and Pharmacist Support for Antidepressant Discontinuation), refers to the collaboration between GPs and pharmacists in tapering of antidepressants, and also symbolises the support and guidance (the 'GPS') provided to patients and healthcare providers in assessing whether long-term use of antidepressants is still necessary.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients will be eligible for inclusion in the study if they meet all of the following criteria:
* Are 18 years or older and capable of providing informed consent.
* Have their Global Medical File (GMD) managed by one of the participating GPs.
* Have been prescribed AD (any type) by their GP for the treatment of depression, with:
* at least 6 months of continuous daily use following a first depressive episode, or
* at least 2 years of continuous daily use in the context of a relapsed depression/recurrent episode
* Are judged by their GP as no longer meeting the criteria for a current depressive disorder.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients will be excluded from participation in the study if they meet any of the following criteria:
* AD discontinuation is considered contra-indicated by the treating GP.
* The patient is judged by the GP to be at high risk of relapse. This includes any of the following:
* Current significant depressive symptoms, defined as a score of ≥12 on the PHQ-9
* Current significant anxiety symptoms, defined as a score of ≥10 on the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale.
* Current suicidal ideation, defined as a score \>0 on item 9 (suicidality) of the PHQ-9.
* The patient is currently receiving only psychiatric treatment (out- or inpatient) for depression
In addition to the criteria increasing the risk of relapse, the following will also be an exclusion criteria:
* The patient has a current psychiatric comorbidity …
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.