Z: A Side Effect of Stopping Antidepressants

Brain zaps are electric-like sensations in the brain experienced when someone stops taking antidepressant medicines. It's a term that likely became popularized on internet discussion boards among people describing their experiences after stopping antidepressant medicines.

What Causes Zaps?

• Zaps are associated with stopping antidepressant medicines and have been studied as a side effect of antidepressant medications.
• A 2017 study in CMAJ showed that about 20% of people develop antidepressant medication discontinuation symptoms after stopping antidepressant medicines.
• Doctors aren't entirely sure why coming off of antidepressant medicines can cause zaps in some individuals.
• Zaps from antidepressant medicines usually appear 2-4 days after starting the tapering off process and can last several weeks or longer.

How Do Zaps Feel?

• Zaps can vary among individuals, but they're usually described as electric-like sensations in the brain.
• Some people describe them as tingling, shock-like, or burning.
• Zaps can last a second or two, or longer.
• Many people describe brain zaps as "jolts."
• Some people felt buzzing or vibrating sensations.
• Some people felt pain during the brain zaps.
• Some people had several zaps in a row.

How to Get Rid of Zaps

General

• Contact your doctor if you experience zaps after stopping antidepressant medicines.
• Your doctor can discuss the speed of your tapering and the possibility of substituting a different medicine during the weaning process.
• For some people, switching to an antidepressant medicine like fluoxetine (Prozac) with a long half-life can be helpful after stopping your antidepressant medicine.

Preventing Zaps

• Have a detailed discussion with your doctor or healthcare provider before stopping your antidepressant medicine.
• Not all antidepressant medicines are the same, and your doctor can put you on the best schedule for weaning off your particular antidepressant medicine.
• In some cases, it may take 6-8 weeks to wean off an antidepressant medicine to minimize side effects.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

• Contact your doctor before beginning the tapering off process to establish a healthy plan.
• Contact your doctor if you experience zaps during the weaning process.
• Zaps that are severe or that last more than one to two weeks should be reported to your doctor.