How to choose the adequate medication?

Following your appointment with a health professional, he or she will determine the best medication for you. If a member of your family has suffered from depression and was successfully treated with an antidepressant, this medication could also work well for your depression.
If a type of medication is not the right one for you, you will have to try other medications in order to find the best working drug. In this case, you will have to be patient since antidepressants can take 2 to 4 weeks to take effect. Your body will need a certain amount of time to adjust to a new medication and its side effects.

What should I do if I forget to take my medication?

You have to take your pill the moment you realize you’ve forgotten to take it. However, if the time to take the next pill is near, skip the pill you forgot to take in order to prevent doubling your dose.

How should I take my medication?

Generally speaking, you should take your medication every day at the same time and you should not stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor.

What happens if I consume drugs and alcohol while taking antidepressants?

Drinking alcohol and taking your antidepressants is to be avoided because it both increases the severity of side effects caused by antidepressants and increases the effects of alcohol and drugs.

Can I keep taking antidepressants if I am pregnant?

If you are still taking antidepressants while you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should immediately inform your doctor or therapist. They will determine whether you should keep taking your medication. In that case, they will prescribe a type of antidepressants that will reduce the risks to your baby while making sure your pregnancy and post-partum go well.

Do antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviours?

Most of the time, antidepressants do not increase suicide risk. However, there can be some exceptions where you might have more frequent suicidal ideation or behaviours while taking your medication. In any case, if you are taking medication, your doctor will keep track of the progression of your symptoms, especially during the first few weeks of treatment or whenever the dose is changed.

Can I stop taking my medication once I start feeling better?

It is better not to suddenly stop taking your antidepressants. If you want to stop taking them, it is very important to first talk to your doctor in order to take the necessary following steps. If you stop taking your medication suddenly, you might experience unpleasant symptoms such as (nausea, headaches, etc.) and your depression might also get worse.

What are the possible side effects?

  • Headaches, weakness
  • Insomnia, dizziness
  • Changes in appetite
  • Anxiety, sleep problems
  • Nausea, stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
  • Dry mouth or increased amount of saliva
  • Changes in taste and diet
  • Runny nose