Antidepressants
Prescription medicines commonly used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, PMDD and related conditions.
- Type of medicine
- Taken by mouth, usually once daily. Not controlled substances.
- Time to full effect
- Usually four to eight weeks.
- Prescribed at Ridge Way
- In person in Sugar Hill and by telehealth across Georgia.
What Antidepressants Are
Antidepressants affect brain pathways involved in mood, anxiety, sleep and emotional regulation. They reduce symptoms such as low mood, worry, disturbed sleep and poor concentration.
They are not sedatives, and they do not work immediately. Treatment is reviewed over weeks rather than days.
Conditions Treated
Antidepressants are also prescribed for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. See women’s mental health.
Depression
Major depressive disorder. The original indication and still the most common reason one is prescribed.
Anxiety disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Often started at a lower dose and raised slowly.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Usually requires a higher dose and a longer trial than depression before the effect can be judged.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Sertraline, paroxetine and venlafaxine are the medications recommended for PTSD by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.6
Common Medication Types
Examples rather than a complete list. Selection depends on your symptoms, previous response, other conditions and other medicines you take.
SSRIs
Sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil). Usually the first choice.
SNRIs
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR), duloxetine (Cymbalta), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). Blood pressure is monitored. Duloxetine is also used for neuropathic pain.
Atypical antidepressants
Bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), trazodone, vortioxetine (Trintellix). Bupropion is avoided where there is a seizure history.
Tricyclics and MAOIs
Older classes, prescribed less often, requiring additional caution and, for MAOIs, dietary restrictions.
Benefits and Expectations
Improvement is gradual. Sleep, appetite, energy and concentration often improve before mood does, and fuller effect is usually reached at four to eight weeks.1
Not everyone responds to the first medicine tried. Adjusting the dose, switching or adding a second medicine are routine next steps. For a first episode, treatment usually continues for a period after symptoms resolve.
Common Side Effects
Most early effects settle within the first few weeks:
- Nausea or stomach upset, often reduced by taking the medicine with food
- Headache
- Changes in sleep, including vivid dreams
- Restlessness or feeling activated
- Dry mouth or increased sweating
Two effects frequently persist and should be reported rather than tolerated, as both are usually resolved by changing medicine: sexual side effects, and emotional blunting described as feeling flat or unlike yourself. Weight change develops over months and varies considerably between medicines.
Important Safety Information
Suicidal thoughts in people under 25
Antidepressants carry a boxed warning. In some cases children, adolescents and young adults under 25 may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior, particularly when starting treatment or after a dose change.1 Monitoring is closer in this age group, and worsening mood or behavior warrants attention at any age.
Do not stop suddenly
Stopping abruptly after a month or more can cause discontinuation symptoms: stomach upset, dizziness, disturbed sleep, anxiety and irritability, usually beginning within a week of the last dose.3 These are not a return of depression, although they are easily mistaken for it. Any reduction should be planned with your prescriber.
Serotonin syndrome
Rarely, medicines that raise serotonin can combine to cause serotonin syndrome. Agitation, shivering, a rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching or confusion need urgent medical attention.4
Tell your prescriber about
- All other medicines and supplements, including St John’s wort
- Any history of mania or bipolar disorder, as an antidepressant alone can trigger a manic episode
- Pregnancy, planned pregnancy or breastfeeding
- How much alcohol you drink
If you need help now. Contact your prescriber the same day if suicidal thoughts begin or worsen, or if mood or behavior changes sharply after starting or changing a dose. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Ridge Way is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988, any time, or call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225. Crisis resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are antidepressants addictive?
No. They do not cause craving, and increasing doses are not needed to maintain the same effect. Discontinuation symptoms after stopping abruptly are a separate effect, which is why a gradual reduction is used.
How long will I need to take one?
This depends on the diagnosis, the degree of recovery and whether you have had previous episodes. It is reviewed rather than fixed at the outset.
What if the first medicine does not help?
The first consideration is whether it has been taken at an adequate dose for long enough. Adjusting the dose, switching, adding a second medicine or reconsidering the diagnosis are all standard next steps.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Follow the instructions supplied with your medicine, or ask your pharmacist. As a general rule, do not take a double dose to compensate. Tell your prescriber if you are missing doses regularly.
Can I drink alcohol?
Alcohol worsens depression independently of medication and adds to any sedative effect. Tell your prescriber how much you drink so that advice can be specific to you.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Medications. Accessed September 2026.
- Sheffler ZM, Patel P, Abdijadid S. Antidepressants. StatPearls, National Library of Medicine. Updated July 2026.
- Regina AC, Gokarakonda SB, Attia FN. Withdrawal Syndromes. StatPearls, National Library of Medicine. Updated September 2024.
- Simon LV, Torrico TJ, Keenaghan M. Serotonin Syndrome. StatPearls, National Library of Medicine. Updated March 2024.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Antidepressants. Accessed September 2026.
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. Medications for PTSD. Accessed September 2026.
Antidepressant Care That Takes Its Time
Starting, adjusting or stopping an antidepressant should never be guesswork. We’ll walk through your options and follow up as your treatment settles. Book your appointment today.