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| There are a variety of medications
to treat depression.
If you are diagnosed with
depression, your doctor may
try different types of antidepressants
before finding the
most effective medication
or combination that works
for you.
If you are prescribed an
antidepressant medication:*
- Take the medication continuously as prescribed. Studies show it takes at least three to four weeks (and in some cases, eight weeks) before the full therapeutic effect occurs.
- Don’t stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. Medication should be taken for at least four to nine months to prevent a recurrence of the depression. And some medications must be stopped gradually to let your body adjust.
- Schedule appointments with your treating physician at least monthly during the first three months of treatment; keep all followup appointments.
- Provide your doctor with your complete medical history, including what other medications you are taking.
- You may experience mild, usually temporary side effects. Typically these are annoying, but not serious. However, immediately report to your doctor any unusual reactions or side effects or those that interfere with functioning.
*Source: NIH Publication No. 00-3561
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