How long does it take antidepressants to work?
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Some improvement in sleep, appetite, and energy may appear in 1–2 weeks; mood benefit typically takes 4–6 weeks, with full effect by 8–12 weeks. If there's no benefit at adequate dose by 6–8 weeks, the medication or dose usually needs changing.
Three weeks is usually too early to judge. Sleep and appetite often improve first, with mood following at 4-6 weeks and full effect by 8-12.
Do not stop on your own. If there is genuinely no benefit at an adequate dose by 6-8 weeks, the dose or the drug should be changed by your doctor.
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