Antidepressants can improve the symptoms of depression, but, like all medications, they can also cause side effects. The frequency and severity of these side effects vary depending on the class of medication you're taking. It generally takes four to eight weeks for these medicines to work, though you may notice positive changes related to sleeping and eating, for instance, before seeing improvements in your mood. While many people take antidepressants for six to 12 months, your length of use may be longer. Each of these atypical antidepressants influences different neurotransmitters in different ways.

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization is dedicated to protecting consumers around the world, sertraline 50 mg ensuring safe access to medications, and combating illegal online drug sellers. Most pharmaceutical companies offer patient-assistance programs for uninsured patients. These programs provide prescribed medication at little to no cost. Eligibility varies; see the Partnership for Prescription Assistance website for more information, or contact companies directly about their patient assistance programs. Medications are commonly prescribed by physicians (family practice, pediatricians, OB-GYNs, psychiatrists), as well as nurse practitioners in many states. Escitalopram, a well-known selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), was approved by the FDA in 2002.

On that note, any medicine that helps anxiety at a certain dose can often help insomnia at higher doses. When used regularly, especially at higher doses, these can have negative effects on the elderly. That being said, because some of its effects are similar to antidepressants, I wonder if it could help anxiety.

They may suggest another medication that may be more effective in relieving your depression. Researchers have also looked at the effectiveness of antidepressants on subgroups of people, such as older adults, children, and adolescents. They’re more difficult for people to take than most other antidepressants because they interact with prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and some foods.

You always want to wean off these to prevent severe and potentially fatal withdrawal. That is, there is a difference between addiction and physiological dependence; physiological dependence is one part of addiction. Even if you’re not addicted to any medicine, your body can get so used to it that severe withdrawals (and even death) can occur if you stop abruptly (that is, if you go "cold turkey"). Quick acting ones will provide quicker relief but not last as long. Long acting ones will provide longer duration of effect, and thus one might need 1-2 doses per day rather than 3-4.

Properly diagnosing and treating patients with anxiety, depression, or both is a challenging aspect of practicing medicine in the primary care setting. Patients often present with somatic complaints rather than classic psychiatric symptoms. In addition, there is significant overlap between anxiety and depression in this patient population. Comorbid anxiety and depression is often more resistant to pharmacologic treatment, and patients with coexisting disorders have a poorer medical prognosis than do patients with either disorder alone. Fortunately, many new therapies are available to assist the clinician in managing these patients. The newer antidepressants, in particular, are playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of both anxiety disorders alone and comorbid anxiety and depression.