In your experience, when do antidepressants begin to take effect for depression?

Postsynaptic down-regulation is known to occur at the four- to six-week mark. And I tend to delay dose changes until that point, if at all possible. Although this mechanism of action is now less solid with some of the meta-analysis data on the serotonin hypothesis, the time frame still holds for obs...

If I see zero response within 2 weeks, especially as a near a meaningful dose, I move on to the next agent. BTW, this is a change from how I practiced even ten years ago.

I let them know they could start to feel an effect at the two-week mark, but don’t feel discouraged if it takes longer. Even if they start to feel an effect at 2-4 weeks, they could get even more benefit around the 8-week mark. So I leave the decision up to them if they want to let it ride out or in...

Half-life of that particular medicine x 5, one should have some response!