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Medicines work for many people who have depression. Medicine can help you feel better, and can improve or completely relieve your symptoms. The first step toward getting better and staying better is to take your medicine as prescribed.
Keep in mind:
- It takes time for the medicines to work. You may start to feel better within a couple of weeks, but the full effect may not be seen for a month or more. Be patient. Give the medicine a chance to work.
- Take your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to take it. Continued use, if your doctor prescribes it, can help lower your risk of becoming depressed again.
- Some people with a high risk of becoming depressed again may need to take medicine for a longer time.
- If you want to stop taking medicine, do so ONLY after talking it over with your doctor.
- Like many drugs, depression medicines can cause side effects. They can also interact with foods or other medicines. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have and any other medicines you take. If you have side effects from your medicine, contact your doctor right away.
Special concerns
Some depression medicines may play a role in making depression worse. Depression medicines raise the risk of suicidal thoughts in some children and teens who take them. Adults who take depression medicines may also be at higher risk for suicidal thoughts.
Be sure that you see your doctor regularly, especially when you first start taking depression medicines and when the dose is changed (up or down).
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