# AI advises tapering psychiatric medication based on user-reported side effects without medical disclaimer or withdrawal risks

- **ID:** `mental-health/medication-tapering-withdrawal`
- **Domain:** mental-health
- **Category:** data_error
- **Error Code:** `MED-TAPER-007`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Psychiatric medication withdrawal can cause severe symptoms including seizures, psychosis, and suicidal ideation; tapering must be medically supervised.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| 1.0.0 | active | — | — |
| 1.5.0 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Always include disclaimer: '⚠️ IMPORTANT: Do not change or stop any psychiatric medication without consulting your prescribing doctor. Abrupt discontinuation can cause severe withdrawal including seizures. Please contact your doctor to discuss side effects.'** (90% success)
   ```
   Always include disclaimer: '⚠️ IMPORTANT: Do not change or stop any psychiatric medication without consulting your prescribing doctor. Abrupt discontinuation can cause severe withdrawal including seizures. Please contact your doctor to discuss side effects.'
   ```
2. **Provide a script for talking to doctor: 'You can say to your doctor: I'm experiencing [side effects] and I'd like to discuss options. Can we review my dosage or consider a different medication?'** (83% success)
   ```
   Provide a script for talking to doctor: 'You can say to your doctor: I'm experiencing [side effects] and I'd like to discuss options. Can we review my dosage or consider a different medication?'
   ```
3. **Use a code example: 'If you're worried about withdrawal, ask your doctor about hyperbolic tapering. Here's a resource: https://www.taperingstrip.org/ But do NOT attempt this without medical guidance.'** (78% success)
   ```
   Use a code example: 'If you're worried about withdrawal, ask your doctor about hyperbolic tapering. Here's a resource: https://www.taperingstrip.org/ But do NOT attempt this without medical guidance.'
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Suggesting 'cut the pill in half' without considering that some medications are time-release and cutting alters absorption (70% fail)
- **** — Recommending 'skip a dose every other day' without addressing that half-life varies and some drugs cause withdrawal in 24 hours (65% fail)
- **** — Telling users to 'just stop if side effects are bad' ignores that abrupt discontinuation can be dangerous (80% fail)