When is the best time to take an antidepressant, morning or evening?

Antidepressants are often the first-line treatment option for treating various mental health problems. Ranging from mild to severe depression, excessive anxiety, and sometimes for other conditions. Apart from having to be taken according to the recommended dosage, antidepressant drugs must also be taken at the right time for maximum effect. So, when is the best time to take antidepressant drugs, morning or evening, huh?

When should antidepressants be taken?

In general, antidepressants tend to be safe if you follow the advice and dosages given by your doctor or psychiatrist. Taking regular medication will reduce symptoms and increase your chances of recovery, even if your depression is severe.

That's why it's important to follow the rules for taking any medication your doctor prescribes, including antidepressant drugs. So, when should you take antidepressant drugs so you can get better quickly, morning or night?

Actually, not all types of antidepressant drugs can be taken at the same time. There are antidepressants that must be taken in the morning, but there are drugs that have a maximum effect if taken at night.

Simply put, the best time to take antidepressant drugs depends on the type of drug and the problems experienced by each patient. For clarity, here is the complete list.

1. Insomnia

Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs that are often used to reduce symptoms of moderate to severe depression. This type of antidepressant drug works by blocking serotonin from being reabsorbed by nerve cells. As a result, the serotonin concentration in the body increases and makes the patient's mood better.

Unfortunately, taking SSRIs at night can sometimes make sufferers awake and even have trouble sleeping. That is why this type of antidepressant should be taken in the morning.

The same effect is often felt in patients receiving paroxetine (Paxil®) and bupropion (Wellbutrin®) drugs. If you are getting these antidepressant drugs, they should be taken in the morning to prevent insomnia at night.

2. Drowsiness

Contrary to the previous one, there are several types of antidepressant drugs that give side effects of drowsiness after drinking. For example fluoxetine (Prozac®) in combination with olanzapine (Zyprexa®).

This combination of drugs is often used as a therapy for depression that is "resistant" to treatment. Because it causes drowsiness, it is recommended that you take this antidepressant drug at night so as not to interfere with your activities in the morning.

This also applies to those of you who take the following types of antidepressant drugs:

• Fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
• Mirtazapine (Remeron®)
• Amitriptyline (Elavil®)
• Desipramine (Norpramin®)
• Imipramine (Tofranil®)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor®)

Which must be considered when taking antidepressant drugs

The most important key is to always discuss with your doctor about the best time to take the antidepressant medication that is given to you. In addition, there are several other things that you should pay attention to when taking antidepressant drugs, namely:

1. Be patient

You may want to quickly get back into the moody mood of depression. As a result, you are hoping that the antidepressant you are taking can provide a quick healing effect.

Just like other drugs, antidepressant drugs also take time to work in the body. Reporting from Very Well Mind, antidepressant drugs usually give maximum results after being taken for 6-12 weeks. Although indeed most patients can also feel the benefits 1-2 weeks after taking antidepressant drugs regularly.

2. Take medication consistently

Again, each patient will feel the benefits of antidepressant drugs at different times. Therefore, do not rush to stop taking medication just because you do not find it beneficial in treating your depression.

Continue to take antidepressant medications as directed and at the same time every day. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor if you are still confused about the dosage or when to take the medicine.

3. Pay attention to drug side effects

Heidi Combs, MD, a psychiatrist and lecturer in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle, reveals that some people are very sensitive to the side effects of antidepressants. Don't worry though. These side effects are usually only temporary and will disappear over time.

However, if the side effects start to bother you, immediately consult your doctor or psychiatrist. The doctor may reduce the dose, change medications, or give additional drugs to relieve these side effects.