How long do antidepressants take to work?
Antidepressants usually start to help within 1 to 2 weeks and can take up to 8 weeks to work fully.
Sleep, energy and appetite often improve before mood does. Side effects such as nausea, headache or feeling jittery tend to show up early and often ease within a few weeks. That gap can feel discouraging, and it is expected.
If you notice little change after 4 to 8 weeks, talk to your prescriber rather than changing anything on your own. There are usually other options, including a different medicine. Once it works, people usually keep taking it for at least 6 months after feeling better, which lowers the chance of depression coming back.
Source: NHS: Antidepressants overview
See a doctor promptly if
- New or worsening thoughts of suicide or self-harm, especially in the first weeks or after a dose change. Call your local emergency number if you might act on them
- Agitation, confusion, high temperature, sweating, shaking or muscle twitching, especially after adding another medicine or supplement
- A sudden switch to very high energy, little need for sleep, racing thoughts or risky behavior
- Confusion, headache, unusual drowsiness or unsteadiness, especially in older adults, which can signal low sodium
- A rash with swelling of the face, lips or throat, or trouble breathing: call emergency services
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, or black stools, particularly if you also take blood thinners or anti-inflammatory painkillers
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