Depression: Taking Antidepressants Safely

Overview

If your doctor has prescribed antidepressants, there are some important things to know about how to take them. Following these guidelines can reduce problems and help you get the most benefit from your medicine.

• Antidepressants work best when you take them exactly as your doctor prescribed them. This also helps reduce side effects.
• You may start to feel better within 1 to 3 weeks after you start taking this medicine. But it can take as long as 6 to 8 weeks to see improvement. If you don't start to feel better by 3 weeks, talk to your doctor.
• Antidepressants can cause side effects. But most of them are mild and go away after you take the medicine for a few weeks.
• It's best to take these medicines for at least 6 months after you start to feel better. This can help keep you from feeling depressed again (relapse).
• Be sure your doctor knows about any other health problems you have and any medicines you take. These things can affect which medicine your doctor prescribes for you.
• Quitting antidepressants too quickly can cause withdrawal symptoms or cause depression to come back. If you have a problem with your medicine or are ready to quit taking it, work with your doctor to slowly reduce the dose over time.