How long are most people on antidepressants?

Most people need to take antidepressants for at least 6 to 12 months, but many people will take them for much longer. Don't stop antidepressants suddenly — ask your doctor how to taper (gradually reduce) your dose to minimise withdrawal symptoms.

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How long is the average person on antidepressants?

It's usually recommended that a course of antidepressants continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition recurring when you stop. Some people with recurrent illness are advised to carry on taking medicine indefinitely.

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Do some people stay on antidepressants for life?

For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.

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What is the success rate of antidepressants?

Without antidepressants: About 20 to 40 out of 100 people who took a placebo noticed an improvement in their symptoms within six to eight weeks. With antidepressants: About 40 to 60 out of 100 people who took an antidepressant noticed an improvement in their symptoms within six to eight weeks.

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How long should you be on sertraline?

How long you will need to take sertraline. Once you feel better you will probably continue to take sertraline for several more months. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to a year after you no longer feel depressed. Stopping before that time can make depression come back.

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How Long Does it Take for Antidepressants to Work?

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Is it OK to take sertraline for years?

However, research suggests staying on antidepressants for life or even using them long-term, can be harmful to your mind and body. In many instances, extended use can leave you worse off than before. Like all SSRIs, the FDA requires a suicide warning on the package label.

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Is it safe to be on sertraline for a long time?

For most people, sertraline is safe to take for a long time. A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried.

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What are the top 3 antidepressants?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed type of antidepressant and include:
  • Fluoxetine.
  • Citalopram.
  • Sertraline.
  • Paroxetine.
  • Escitalopram.

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What is the strongest antidepressant UK?

The most effective antidepressant compared to placebo was the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline, which increased the chances of treatment response more than two-fold (odds ratio [OR] 2.13, 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.89 to 2.41).

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Do I really need antidepressants?

If your depression or anxiety is mild to moderate, and if time and a talking treatment have not helped, and especially if things are getting worse, then you should consider taking an antidepressant.

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Is it okay to be on antidepressants for years?

Guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommends that antidepressants are used as 'maintenance' treatment for up to 2 years to prevent their depression returning (relapse). It also recommends cognitive-behavioural therapy to change habits of thought and behaviour.

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What happens if you take antidepressants for years?

The researchers found that, once pre-existing risk factors had been taken into account, long-term antidepressant use was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and from any cause.

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How do you know when to stop taking antidepressants?

Your doctor might recommend stopping your antidepressant if:
  1. You're feeling better, and you and the doctor agree that it's time to stop.
  2. You have been taking the medicine for at least 6 months.

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Why do so many people take antidepressants?

The main use for antidepressants is treating clinical depression in adults. They're also used for other mental health conditions and treatment of long-term pain. In most cases, adults with moderate to severe depression are given antidepressants as a first form of treatment.

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Can you drink on antidepressants?

It's best to avoid combining antidepressants and alcohol. It may worsen your symptoms, and it can be dangerous. If you mix antidepressants and alcohol: You may feel more depressed or anxious.

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Which antidepressant is hardest to get off?

Hardest-to-Stop Antidepressants

Other short-acting medications that affect mainly serotonin include: citalopram) (Celexa) escitalopram (Lexapro) paroxetine (Paxil)

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What is the safest antidepressant UK?

SSRIs are usually the first choice medicine for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant. As well as depression, SSRIs can be used to treat a number of other mental health conditions, including: generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

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What is the world no 1 antidepressant?

Perhaps the most recognizable among them is Prozac (fluoxetine). It's still the best option for many people, but since it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987, Prozac has been joined by a variety of other antidepressant medications.

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What is the most common antidepressant NHS?

SSRIs are the most widely prescribed antidepressant. They're usually preferred over other antidepressants, as they cause fewer side effects. An overdose is also less likely to be serious. Fluoxetine is probably the best known SSRI (sold under the brand name Prozac).

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What is the most gentle antidepressant?

Bupropion, citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline were better tolerated than the other antidepressants. Escitalopram and sertraline were found to have the best combination of efficacy and acceptability.

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What's the safest antidepressant?

Which SSRI antidepressants have the least side effects?
  1. Celexa. Overall, Celexa seems to be one of the best-tolerated SSRIs for many people. ...
  2. Lexapro. Lexapro is closely related to Celexa. ...
  3. Prozac. Prozac causes less weight gain than other SSRIs. ...
  4. Zoloft.

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Why shouldn't you just stop sertraline?

You shouldn't suddenly stop taking SSRIs, even if you feel better. Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as: stomach ache. flu-like symptoms.

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Can I eat bananas with sertraline?

Tyramine-Rich Food Products:Interaction between sertraline and tyramine-rich foods like cheese, milk, beef, chicken liver, meat extract, avocados, bananas, canned figs, soy beans and excess chocolate can result in a sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure.

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Why should you not stop sertraline?

Stopping sertraline abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin).

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