The Hyperbolic Tapering Principle

Hyperbolic tapering means reducing by a percentage, not by fixed amounts.

As the dose gets lower, the reductions automatically become smaller. This protects the nervous system, especially near the end of the taper, where withdrawal risk is highest.

This principle applies no matter how you taper:

  • crushing tablets
  • counting beads
  • liquid or water tapering
  • compounding pharmacies

Hyperbolic tapering is how many people safely get from start to finish.

Why We Use the Full Tablet Weight to Taper

The number on a tablet (for example, 25mg) refers only to the active ingredient, not the full tablet.

Tablets contain fillers and coatings that add significant weight. Your body reacts to the entire tablet, not just part of it.

That's why hyperbolic tapering uses the full tablet weight, measured with a precise digital scale. This allows for accurate, consistent, and gentler dose reductions.

The Hyperbolic Tapering Schedule

I've never found the author of this schedule to pay them respects for creating this incredible Excel schedule used by thousands of people worldwide. Click here to download the Hyperbolic Tapering Schedule

The hyperbolic tapering method is widely used because it protects our receptors as we reduce and goes slower near the end, unlike the linear taper, which reduces by set amounts each time and ends abruptly.

Key Points

Active Ingredient vs. Tablet Weight
The active ingredient in a medication is not the same as the weight of a tablet. Every medication contains fillers and coatings that add weight. For example:

  • A 25mg Dopaquel (Seroquel) tablet weighs 77mg.
  • A 100mg Epitec tablet weighs 399mg.

Our bodies need to taper from the whole tablet, not just the active ingredient.

Measuring Your Medication
To obtain the weight of your specific medication:

  • You will require a mini-digital scale that measures down to 0.001mg.
  • Ensure the scale has three numbers after the decimal point. Scales are available from Amazon and Take-a-lot.

Calibration is Essential
It is imperative to calibrate the scale before using it, as detailed in the product manual.

Weighing Tablets

  • Weigh three different tablets individually to obtain the average weight, which will be automatically calculated by the spreadsheet.
  • IMPORTANT: The schedule is set in GRAMS, not MILLIGRAMS. Therefore, if your tablet weighs (for example) 77mg, type it
    in like this “0.077” in the schedule.

Recommended Tapering Rate
The suggested tapering rate is in the range of 5% to 10% reductions every 4–6 weeks, depending on your body's withdrawal symptoms. There are exceptions to the guidelines.

Change the date, and hit enter; the spreadsheet will automatically calculate your hyperbolic tapering regime from start to finish. The dates are indicated in the American format: MM/DD/YY.

How to Read your Schedule Columns

Depending on whether you are using a weighing doses scale or a water method, look at these specific columns on your generated schedule:

  • For Dry-Cutting (Scale Method):

Use Columns C and D. Column C (Removed): The exact weight you need to shave off and discard.

Column D (Consumed): The final weight of the tablet you need to place on the scale and consume.

  • For Water Titration:

Use Column E. This column shows the percentage you need to consume. For example, if Column E states 95%, you will measure out 100ml of liquid, syringe out and discard 5ml, and consume the remaining 95ml.

Tapering Methods

Water Tapering Method (Liquid Titration)

This method involves dissolving your medication in a 100ml of water to make very small, precise reductions.

  • Best for: Medications that dissolve easily in water and for making micro-reductions that are too small to weigh on a scale.
How it works

Place your medication in a small glass and add 100ml water

  1. Allow it to dissolve (takes about 20-30 minutes)
  2. Stir the mixture around and while the particles are swirling around (not sitting on bottom of glass),
  3. Using a syringe (without a needle), remove the exact amount of liquid required by your hyperbolic schedule.
  4. Discard the syringed portion and drink the remaining liquid from the glass.
  5. You can add additional water to the glass to consume any remaining particles stuck to the inside of the glass.

Here’s my video which explains this.

Watch Video

The Crushed Tablet (Scale) Method

This is a "dry tapering" method. It uses a high-precision mini-digital scale available from Amazon or Takealot to measure and gradually reduce your dose.

  • Best For: Individuals using tablets who prefer not to use liquids.
  • Essential Tool: A digital milligram scale that measures to three decimal places (0.001g).
How it works
  1. Place your scale on a flat, steady surface away from drafts and "calibrate" it using the weights provided with the device to ensure it is 100% accurate.
  2. Work according to the Hyperbolic tapering schedule.
  3. Use a pill crusher or a mortar and pestle to turn your tablet into a very fine, consistent powder.
  4. Place all of the crushed powder onto the scale to confirm the weight matches the whole tablet according to the hyperbolic schedule
  5. Use a small tool (like a tiny measuring spoon or toothpick) to remove small amounts of powder until the scale shows the exact weight needed for your reduced dose and consume.

Preparing for tapering

Safe tapering often requires:

  • Planning
  • Patience
  • Symptom tracking
  • Holds (days or weeks of not reducing)
  • Flexibility

I've gone into detail about how to prepare for a taper, in my book:

 The Tapering Journal

Tapering Support

If you're looking for hope, truth and gentle support during your tapering journey off psychiatric medications, my private Facebook Subscription Support Group, is open to you

 Click to join group
Learn More - Tapering Resources

CRITICAL SAFETY NOTICE

Stopping psychiatric medication suddenly (“cold turkey”) or tapering too quickly can cause severe, disabling, or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. The content below shares lived-experience insights and harm-reduction research and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always work with a healthcare professional experienced in safe, gradual tapering methods, such as hyperbolic tapering.


Crisis Support: If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please contact your local emergency
services or a crisis hotline immediately.