Medications for Depression: How Long Does It Take to Find Relief?

Some people struggle with symptoms of major depressive disorder for months or years before seeking treatment. As a result, they may be very eager to see results when starting medication for depression.

“It can be a little bit frustrating that your friend took only four weeks for the medication to work, and for you, it's taking six to eight weeks,” says Jacques Ambrose, MD, MPH, FAPA, Psychiatrist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

How long does it take for an antidepressant to work?

Antidepressants may take days or weeks to see the full effect. How long it takes may depend on the medication and the person taking it. Some people may see improvements within a few days, but others may need to wait several weeks to know if the medication is working.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressant class. In general, SSRIs may take six to 12 weeks to see the full effect. Other classes of antidepressants may have a different timeline. 

Since it can take time for your antidepressant to work, your provider may want to wait for that 12-week period before making any changes to your treatment plan. 

If you’re having unwanted side effects, your provider may also want to delay making any changes because side effects often lessen over time. Do not stop taking your medication without talking to your provider first.  Your provider may have other suggestions to help with side effects, so it is important to be in close communication. 

How does the dosage affect my antidepressant effectiveness?

Your provider will likely start you on a lower dosage than they think you will need. “Then, we [may] increase the dosage as [you] are getting used to the medication,” says Dr. Ambrose.

Starting at a low dose has two benefits:

1. It allows your body to adjust to the medication: Increasing your dosage over time may reduce side effects as you start the medication.

2. It helps you find the appropriate dose: The goal is to find a dose that’s high enough to relieve symptoms but low enough to minimize side effects.

What if your depression is severe and you can’t wait?

If your depression symptoms have put you in a more urgent situation, you have a few options:

• Emergency care: Visit your nearest emergency department if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

• Hospitalization: In inpatient care, a team can monitor your safety and make rapid adjustments to your medications as needed.

• Faster-acting treatment options: Some treatments may work faster than traditional antidepressants, such as electroconvulsive therapy and some newer medications.

“One of the things that we often try to balance when it comes to treatment of depression is [that] we want to make sure that the treatments are effective, safe, and also timely,” says Dr. Ambrose.