How to use antidepressant tablets – 5 do’s and don’ts
In this article, we will describe how to use 5 antidepressant tablets – do’s and don’ts.
Antidepressant medications work by helping to correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Antidepressant medications are not addictive or habit forming. They are not uppers, and they are not tranquillisers.
1.Do’s – treating depression with antidepressant medication
Your doctor will consider several factors in selecting an appropriate antidepressant medication for you from the many that are available. Most people respond well to medication. Some antidepressant medications are started at low doses to allow your body time to adapt; your doctor will then gradually increase the dose until you begin to feel better.
After about 3-6 weeks of taking antidepressant medications, most people with depression begin to feel more like their usual self. But it may take time for you and your doctor to find the medication that works best for you.
It is very important that you continue to take the medication exactly as the doctor prescribed even if you feel better. For the first 6-8 weeks after you begin treatment, your doctor will want to see you often, to check how the medication is working.
Don’ts – press on with non medical treatments if you are not getting better.
2. Do’s – take the right tablets
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. Examples include citalopram, fluoxetine and sertraline.
Don’ts – take these tablets unsupervised.
3. Do’s – take them for at least 12 weeks
If your depression is significantly improved after 12 weeks, you should continue taking the medication for an additional 6-12 months to prevent your depression from returning. People who have had previous episodes of depression may need to continue taking their medication for longer periods.
Don’ts – take them for 2 weeks and give up on them.
4. Do’s – things you can do to help
- Keep all of your appointments – whether it be with your GP or psychiatrist
- Speak to your doctor about questions or concerns you have about the medication
- Take the medication exactly as your doctor prescribes
- Tell your doctor about any side effects you are having
- Tell your doctor how the medication is working (e.g. whether you are feeling better or worse).
Don’ts – lose contact with your GP or psychiatrist.
5. Do’s – stop or come off antidepressants carefully
Talk to your doctor before you stop taking antidepressants. It’s important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly.
A dose of antidepressants should be slowly reduced, normally over 4 weeks, but sometimes longer.
This is to prevent withdrawal symptoms that you might get if you come off antidepressants suddenly.
Don’ts – come off antidepressants on your own or quickly.
Summary
We have described how to use antidepressant tablets – 5 do’s and don’ts. We hope you understand them better now. They are strong and highly effective drugs.
