Depression is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Most depressed people need antidepressant medications. Antidepressants can improve or completely relieve the symptoms of depression.

Several medication options are available. There is no evidence that one medication works better than another; however, the side effects of the medications differ.⁹ You and your health professional can determine which medication is right for you.

You may start to feel better within 1 to 3 weeks of taking antidepressant medicine. But it can take as many as 6 to 8 weeks to see more improvement. If you have questions or concerns about your medicines, or if you do not notice any improvement by 3 weeks, talk to your doctor.

Your doctor may prescribe an atypical antipsychotic, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), if your depression does not improve with antidepressants alone.

Medications affect your brain chemistry in different ways, so you may try several different medications or combinations of medications to find treatment that works for your depression. Most people find a drug that works within a few tries, but for some people, depression can be more difficult to treat. In some cases, a combination of antidepressants may be necessary. Sometimes an antidepressant combined with a different type of medication-such as an antiseizure, mood stabilizer, or antianxiety drug-is effective.

When taking antidepressant medication, it is important that you take the medication as prescribed. It may take several weeks before you notice the medication working. Side effects may improve after your body adjusts to the medication.

Taking your medicine for at least 6 months after you feel better can help keep you from getting depressed again. If this is not the first time you have been depressed, your doctor may want you to take these medicines even longer.

If you decide to quit taking antidepressants, it is important that you gradually reduce the dose over a period of several weeks. Quitting antidepressants abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. It is important to discuss quitting (or changing) medications with your health professional.

Should I stop taking my depression medicine?

Medication Choices

Antidepressant medications include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil.
• Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil, Pamelor, or maprotiline.
• Atypical antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Remeron.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Nardil, Marplan, or Parnate.

What To Think About

If you and your health professional decide that you need medication, there are several considerations when choosing the right medication:

• Understand the side effects of the medication.
• Tell your health professional about all of your current medical conditions and all the medications you are taking, including nonprescription drugs, herbs, and supplements, so he or she can determine whether there are potential drug interactions.
• If you are an older person, you may need lower doses of medication, and it may take longer to be effective.
• Your health professional will need to monitor your progress to determine whether a particular medication is working for you.
• Often the first medication you take will effectively treat your depression. If not, there are other choices that will usually work well. You may need to try several different medications before you find the one that works best for you.
• Taking your medicine for at least 6 months after you feel better can help keep you from getting depressed again. If this is not the first time you have been depressed, your doctor may want you to take these medicines even longer. ⁹
• Some people need to remain on medication for several months to years (maintenance therapy). Others need medication for the remainder of their lives, especially those who have had several episodes of major depression.