Antidepressants don’t have to be forever

Get the support you need for life on less medication, with neuroscience-based taper plans guided by clinicians who understand.

Dr. Mark Horowitz drawing hyperbolic tapering on a whiteboard

Antidepressants don’t have to be forever

Get the support you need for life on less medication, with neuroscience-based taper plans guided by expert clinicians.

Our team's work has been featured in

Dr. Mark Horowitz drawing hyperbolic tapering on a whiteboard

The first virtual clinic that helps you get off drugs, instead of on them.

Due to a lack of research, most clinicians taper patients off their antidepressants too quickly—leading to withdrawal symptoms that are mostly misdiagnosed as relapse. We implement the first science-based approach to tapering, to help you get off medications and stay well.

Designed by experts who get the journey

Our evidence-based tapering program is designed by world-leading experts in deprescribing, who know the challenges off stopping antidepressants firsthand.

Dr. Mark Horowitz

Co-Founder

Dr. Mark Horowitz | Expert in antidepressant tapering and withdrawal

Personalized, virtual care for your tapering journey

With a digital platform dedicated to safe deprescribing, Outro's programs helps you safely transition off antidepressants with personalized tapering and ongoing support—all through the convenience of virtual care.

Why explore tapering with Outro?

Work with clinicians trained in safe deprescribing

Outro's team of clinicians are trained by world-leading experts, to guide taper plans that are based on science and personalized to you.

Lower exposure to several long-term medication risks

Limit your exposure to the long-term risks like weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, cognitive decline and, overall mortality.

Reduce the risk of depression or anxiety returning

Our slow, science-based tapering approach can reduce the risk of returning depression and anxiety after stopping medications.

Get custom dose sizes your doctor won't prescribe

We help you access smaller, compounded prescriptions to help you taper safely—something traditional care can’t match.

Build sustainable, drug-free mental health practices

We support you with tools and coaching around sleep, nutrition and more, to help you feel better without relying on medication.

Increase your chances of safely getting off medications

With neuroscience, expert guidance and symptom tracking, Outro improves your odds of a safe and successful taper.

Get back your full range of human emotions

As you progress off your drug, feel the healthy return of emotions that antidepressants keep muted—helping you live a fuller life.

Take back control of your mental health journey

Build skills to manage your mental health, that exist beyond the medication-focused system you're used to.

"After being given repeated, poor advice from general practitioners and the psychiatric doctors in the US, I discovered Outro on the Surviving Antidepressants forum. My first interaction was a breath of fresh air. Finally a company who understands, is caring, listens and has experience in successfully tapering off psychiatric medication. Outro is setting me up to be successful in coming off my medication and I am thankful for that!"

Tiffany, 57

FAQs

Explore commonly asked questions about Outro's services, medication withdrawal, tapering and more.

How does Outro help minimize my risk of withdrawal and relapse?

Outro provides flexible, medically-supervised tapering plan with gradual dose reductions tailored just for you. Our hyperbolic tapering method, where reductions become progressively smaller, gently minimizes nervous system disruption and withdrawal discomfort. We personalize your tapering plan based on your response, preferences, and what's happening in your life.

How is Outro different from working with another provider?

Safe antidepressant deprescribing requires a comprehensive approach that is often difficult for an individual prescriber to provide due to the time required. It also requires up-to-date knowledge on the latest techniques in tapering antidepressants that are not yet widely taught in the United States. Think of Outro as a specialist in tapering.

At Outro, we walk with you every step of the way. Our specialized, high-touch care team takes time to get to know you and your goals, and provides an advanced, individualized approach to tapering off antidepressants informed by the latest guidance and clinical evidence. Through Outro’s app, your symptoms and progress are continuously monitored by your provider, who can reach out to offer coping strategies or adapt your care plan accordingly. If you have questions or concerns that arise in between appointments, your Outro provider is available via 1-to-1 chat.

What is hyperbolic tapering?

Hyperbolic tapering (sometimes called the Horowitz-Taylor method) is based on the fact that as antidepressant dose goes up, drug action on brain cells increases, but not in equal steps. Higher dosages have less and less additional influence – a decreasing return on investment. The graph showing this is called a hyperbolic curve (goes up faster at low doses, and flatter at higher doses).

Tapering based on this method gradually backs you out of the drug with reductions following this natural curve, with the size of dose reduction getting smaller as the dosage gets lower. As very low doses (e.g. 1 or 2mg) have much larger effects than people expect, many people need to taper down to very small doses before stopping so that the final ‘jump’ to zero is not too large a shock to the nervous system. These very low doses are difficult to make up with commonly available tablets, so compounded medications become important.

What if I've tried to stop before?

Many people have difficulties when they try to go off antidepressants. Our team of expertly trained clinicians will develop a tailored tapering program, informed by the latest scientific evidence and designed to minimize withdrawal effects - even for these people who have tried to stop before.

What medications does Outro taper?

We currently offer taper management for antidepressant medications. You can see the full list here.

We are making preparations to expand to other psychotropic medications like benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids, which also follow the hyperbolic tapering method. You can express an interest in tapering these medications in our sign-up form.

Get Your Tapering Plan

Ready to explore life beyond medication?

At Outro, we're dedicated to empowering people in taking control over their own mental health journey—providing evidence-based options for stopping medications, and sustainable alternatives to thriving mentally, physically and emotionally.

Available in several states and growing

Outro is now accepting patients in several states and actively expanding. If you don't see your state here, join the waitlist via the onboarding flow.