Dwayne Said:

How long until lexapro or any depression medicine stops working?

We Answered:

You are referring to 'increased drug tolerance'; the body does not develop such a tolerance to medications such as Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, etc.

One develops drug tolerance to medications such as narcotic-based pain relievers, where you must increase the dosage on these in order to overcome the developed tolerance to them.

Medications such as Lexapro and Zoloft, which is what that I am taking, work simply by making certain natural chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) last longer.

I have been taking Zoloft for years and it remains quite effective for me.

Nellie Said:

Why do I already feel better on my anti-depression medicine?

We Answered:

As you probably know, it usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks for a drug like Citalopram to build up in the bloodstream and begin to have a positive effect. However, when it comes to psychiatric meds, there are no absolutes. Almost anything is possible.

If you are feeling better already and your suicide thoughts have decreased, that's fantastic. Enjoy the good feelings! If you have been in a deep depression for a very long time, you deserve to feel better.

Since you have only been on the medicine for a few days, it is hard to say what will happen in the future. You may have some ups and downs. That's normal. It's very possible that Citalopram may be the drug you need.

But don't forget other ways to help yourself. I found exercise to be really great to fight off depression. Eating a good diet and avoiding sugar and caffeine as much as possible can also help. Being with friends who support you is very helpful. Try to go to sleep early so you will sleep well and wake up rested is another way to help yourself.

Finally, research shows that psychotherapy plus medication generally helps more than therapy alone or meds alone. I wish you the best.

Brandon Said:

I have a question about about anti-depression medicine. Which medicine is the best for me?

We Answered:

Wellbutrin works great for a lot of people.

Many people try it, but don't like how they feel and quit it on the first or second day. Give it a few weeks before quitting it. (typical complaints are: my heart felt like it was beating fast, I had too much energy, etc.)

One thing to be aware of if you are coffee drinker is that the enzyme in the kidneys that metabolizes caffeine, is monopolized by the Wellbutrin.

So if you drink 3 cups of coffee first thing in the morning, that evening you still feel that buzz. Majority of M.D.s and pharmacists don't share that information.

Most folks cut down on their caffeine intake and do great.

Also, wellbutrin is also sold as Zyban which does help a lot of people quit smoking.

Talk to your doctor and your therapist; sounds like it is worth looking into.

Good luck!

Salvador Said:

What would happen if you take a depression medicine like Effexor if you are not depressed?

We Answered:

Antidepressants are NOT just "happy pills" like a lot of people think they are. If you're not depressed, they really won't do anything to you. you might have to put up with the side effects unnecessarily (goodbye sex drive!), but aside from that nothing really happens. Also, it takes several WEEKS for people who ARE depressed to really start feeling any effects.

The side effects, incidentally, don't necessarily make you "more depressed", but would rather give someone who's MDD the energy to fully feel and act out their depression. The increased risk of suicide on them is actually attributed to the fact that the meds ARE starting to work. Many people with Major Depression have suicidal thoughts, but aren't in much danger because they literally don't have the energy to carry anything out. Once you start to have slightly more cognitive function, and slightly more energy, but the mood hasn't picked up yet, that's when things get bad. On a normal person, that's pretty unlikely to happen. Your chemically balanced brain MIGHT, however, stop producing the neurotransmitters (or as much of them, rather) on it's own, thus making you effectively dependant on said medication if taken long enough. I'm not sure if that happens, but it would kind of make sense.

So, no: bumming a friend's prozac won't get you high / happy. :P

Gloria Said:

Has anyone tried a depression medicine named ViLift?

We Answered:

i havent tried that one but ive tried one and it made me numb. id stay away from them if i were you.