Antidepressants may take a couple of weeks of consistent use before you notice symptom relief. You may experience significant improvement after 8 weeks. This may vary individually and other factors may come into play.
Antidepressants are a class of medications prescribed to treat various mental health conditions, primarily depression and certain anxiety disorders.
Antidepressant medications work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, to improve mood and alleviate other symptoms.
How long antidepressants take to work may depend on the cause and severity of your symptoms, individual contributing factors, and complementary management approaches.
Do antidepressants offer immediate relief?
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No, antidepressants do not provide immediate relief. It may take 2–4 weeks of consistent use for you to notice an improvement in your mood, and between 6–8 weeks to experience the maximum therapeutic effect a medication offers.
Several factors may affect how long antidepressants take to work, including:
biological and genetic factors such as your brain chemistry
symptom severity and type of depression (e.g., clinical depression vs. depression in bipolar disorder)
coexisting medical conditions
medication compliance
lifestyle factors such as sleep patterns, eating patterns, and physical activity
Considering these factors, finding the right antidepressant for you, and achieving symptom relief often requires patience and close monitoring by a healthcare professional.
Attending psychotherapy sessions may also complement your efforts and provide you with tools to develop managing skills.
For severe cases of depression or depression that do not respond to traditional antidepressants, your healthcare professional may recommend a fast-acting antidepressant medication.
This is how the most common antidepressants work:
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How they work: SSRIs block or slow down the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain. This helps increase the levels of this neurotransmitter and improve mood regulation.
How long they take to work: Consistent use may take up to 6 weeks before you feel the improvement.
How they work: SNRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, leading to increased levels of these neurotransmitters, which can improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
How long they take to work: Similar to SSRIs, consistent use may take up to 6 weeks before significant symptom relief is observed.
How they work: NMDA receptor blockers regulate glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in mood and cognition.
How long they take to work: The timeframe for noticeable improvements may vary by medication. Some of them may take several weeks to work, while others are considered fast-acting antidepressants.
Example:Ketamine (Ketalar) is a fast-acting antidepressant primarily used for depression that does not respond to other medications. It is administered as a nasal spray.
While antidepressants may take some time to show their full effects, individual responses may vary.
Your healthcare professional will monitor you closely during the initial weeks of antidepressant treatment. They’ll assess progress and make any necessary adjustments in dosage or medication to achieve the best possible outcomes.
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Yes, there are fast-acting antidepressants known as rapid-acting antidepressants (RAADs) or rapid-onset antidepressants.
Ketamine (Ketalar) and esketamine (Spravato) are examples of such medications.
These RAADs indicate the potential to produce noticeable symptom relief within hours to a few days after administration, making them valuable options for people experiencing severe or treatment-resistant depression.
Does taking more than one antidepressant offer quicker results?
Taking more than one antidepressant does not necessarily offer quicker results and may make it difficult to determine which drug is improving your symptoms. But a doctor may consider combining antidepressants in some instances of depression that don’t respond to a single therapy.
Only a healthcare professional may assess the benefits and potential drawbacks of add-on therapies to evaluate their effectiveness and potential side effects.
How to know antidepressants are working
You may notice your antidepressant medication is working if these signs are present:
Improved mood: You may notice a reduction in feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair.
Increased energy: You may feel more energetic and motivated to do things you haven’t done in a while.
Better sleep: Improved sleep patterns and better sleep quality are common signs of symptom relief.
Enhanced concentration: You might find focusing, concentrating, and completing tasks easier.
Reduced anxiety: Antidepressants may relieve anxiety symptoms, so you may notice feeling calmer and less irritable.
Enjoyment in activities: You may start finding pleasure and interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Enhanced social interactions: You may regain your motivation to interact with other people or attend social gatherings.
Decreased thoughts of self-harm: If you previously experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide, they may become less frequent or intense.
Patience and consistency are essential to give the medication enough time to take effect. Even if you feel your medications aren’t working, do not discontinue or change the dose on your own.
Consider talking with a doctor if you have any concerns about how fast your antidepressant is working. They may evaluate and adjust your dosage or switch you to a new medication. Medical supervision is key when switching to a new medication or stopping yours.
What to do if your antidepressant is not working
If you believe your antidepressant is not offering relief or has stopped working after a while, consider the following:
Reach out to your healthcare professional: They can re-assess your symptoms and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
Avoid abrupt changes: Discontinuing any antidepressant medication suddenly or changing your dosage without medical guidance may lead to symptom intensification or withdrawal effects.
Ask about dose adjustment: Your doctor may recommend trying a different antidepressant class or adjusting your dose to match your current symptoms.
Explore combination therapy: In some cases, combining antidepressants or adding psychotherapy to your treatment plan may enhance results. Your healthcare professional may help with this.
Address other factors: Possible contributing factors, such as lifestyle, stress levels, or other medical conditions may affect how fast your antidepressants work.
Antidepressants treat depression and anxiety disorders but may not offer immediate relief. On average, it may take 2–4 weeks of consistent use to notice symptom improvement.
Still, individual responses may vary, and factors such as genetics, medication type, and coexisting conditions play a role.
Working closely with a doctor and following prescribed treatment plans is essential for the best possible outcomes.
If your symptoms do not improve with traditional antidepressants, your healthcare professional may add other oral antidepressants or switch you to a fast-acting medication.
