How to Change Depression Medication

It is not uncommon for health care providers to advise patients to stop taking the medication they currently use to treat depression in order to try a new antidepressant. Finding the right medication, combination of medications or dosage to treat depression is a trial-and-error process. But changing your depression medication isn't as simple as substituting one cold medication for another. It's critical to follow your physician's instructions to avoid adverse reactions.

Instructions

• 1

  Discuss the reasons for changing your antidepressant with your doctor or psychiatrist. Ask if you've been taking the mediation long enough for a fair trial. Most antidepressants start to take effect four to six weeks after you begin taking them, but it can take 12 weeks or longer before you receive full therapeutic benefits. Also, make sure you and your psychiatrist are in agreement on your therapeutic objectives.
  Keep in mind that no two people respond the same to a given drug or dosage. In fact, 40 percent to 50 percent of people starting antidepressant therapy need to try more than one medication before finding one that's effective for them, and it's common to augment antidepressants with other medications.

• 2

  Discuss all the treatment options that are available to you with your doctor. Ask what your physician recommends and why he believes it is the best course of action. Ask such questions as: what are the benefits and side effects of the new medication? When can I expect the new medication to take effect? How much does it cost, and is a generic version of the medication available?
  You may be able to take a cytochrome P450 blood test, which can help your doctor determine which antidepressant will work better for you. Ask if this test is available and check with your insurance company to see if it's covered under your policy.

• 3

  Let your doctor know what medications you currently take, including nutritional supplements and vitamins. This can help you avert dangerous drug interactions or eliminate drug combinations that reduce the effectiveness of a medication. Tell your doctor if there has there been a change in your overall medical status. Also let you doctor know if a close, blood-related family member has had success with a specific antidepressant. This may mean you will too.

• 4

  Follow the doctor's instructions for changing your medications. Some drugs are self-tapering, which means you can stop them immediately. However, with most drugs used to treat depression, you must gradually taper off your dosage to avoid withdrawal-like symptoms, such as anxiety, headache, nausea and irritability.
  Ask your physician when you should stop taking the first medication and begin taking the new one. This is critical. In rare cases, people can experience a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome when adding a new medication or increasing the dosage of a drug they currently take. Serotonin syndrome is characterized by agitation, diarrhea, fluctuations of heart rate or blood pressure, confusion, seizures and, if untreated, death.

• 5

  Be aware of the increased risk of suicide when you start a new antidepressant. Contact your physician immediately if you begin to experience suicidal thoughts. If you believe you are at imminent risk of suicide, call your local suicide hotline or emergency services number immediately. National numbers are 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK and are available 24/7, 365 days a year.