Can I start taking my antidepressants again?

If you accidentally missed a dose of your antidepressant medicine, start taking it again as soon as possible. If you’re out of medicine, call your doctor so he or she can refill your prescription.

What happens when you don’t take your antidepressants regularly?

If you don’t take your antidepressant medication consistently from the beginning, you won’t get a good result. Over time, your depression will get worse. People who miss doses may experience withdrawal symptoms. If you’re not going to take your medicine or choose to stop shortly after starting, tell your doctor.

How long does it take for your brain to go back to normal after antidepressants?

The process of healing the brain takes quite a bit longer than recovery from the acute symptoms. In fact, our best estimates are that it takes 6 to 9 months after you are no longer symptomatically depressed for your brain to entirely recover cognitive function and resilience.

Is it time to try another medication for depression?

If you experience some relief on an antidepressant, but it’s not the relief you hoped for, it may be time to try something new, Dr. Thomas says. That may include trying another depression medication or adding counseling, psychotherapy, mood-boosting cardio exercise, or even light therapy to your treatment regimen.

Can antidepressants lose effectiveness over time?

Can antidepressants lose effectiveness? When depression symptoms improve after starting an antidepressant, many people need to continue taking medication long term to prevent symptoms from returning. However, in some people, a particular antidepressant may simply stop working over time.

What should I do if my antidepressant is not working?

Take your antidepressant as directed at the same time every day and do not stop it without first talking to your doctor. Address side effects. If your antidepressant is causing side effects, remember that many, if not all of them, will go away with time.

Can other medications be added to antidepressants to increase their effectiveness?

Other medications. Your doctor may recommend combining two antidepressants, or other medications may be added to an antidepressant to enhance antidepressant effects.