Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin and norepinephrine. Low levels of these neurotransmitters are believed to play a role in causing symptoms of depression. When levels increase due to antidepression drugs, it can help improve mood and reduce symptoms.

There are several types of antidepression drugs with different mechanisms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) prevent the reabsorption of serotonin into presynaptic neurons, leaving more serotonin available to help messages travel between neurons. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) also act on norepinephrine. Serotonin-norepiphrine modulators target both neurotransmitters through slightly different mechanisms than SSRIs and SNRIs.

Increasing neurotransmitter levels prevents changes in brain circuits associated with depression. Studies have shown it takes weeks for the increased neurotransmitter levels to take effect and fully treat depression. This delay in efficacy matches the typical timeframe needed to feel improvement with antidepression drugs.

Choosing the Right Antidepressant

Your doctor will evaluate your history, symptoms, and other factors to select the best Antidepressant drug option. They may start with an SSRI as they are generally well-tolerated. However, other classes like SNRIs or atypical antidepression drugs may be preferred depending on your specific presentation and other diagnoses.

If the initial medication does not provide adequate relief within 6-8 weeks, your doctor will likely switch you to an alternative medication or augment your current one. No single antidepression drug is most effective for everyone, so trying different options is often necessary to find the best match. Factors like side effects, drug interactions, and medical history also influence which medication is suitable.

Finding the Right Dose

While antidepression drugs begin working within a few weeks, it takes fully 6-8 weeks at an optimal dose to experience their maximal benefits. Doctors usually start at a low dose and gradually increase it over 1-2 weeks as tolerance allows for up-titration.

Starting low mitigates side effects while the body adjusts. Most people require the maximum or near-maximum dose listed for their medication to achieve full remission of depression. Side effects are also minimized at lower doses, so slowly increasing allows risks to be monitored as tolerance develops. Sticking to the dosage schedule is key for antidepression drugs to work as intended.

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