AntidepressantsWhat you need to know

Try these tipsMost of the time, you will stay on your treatment about 4 to 9 months after you start feeling OK.

Ending treatment is a complex process. Your doctor needs to help you with this. Don’t try stopping on your own.

Keep these tips in mind:

•Write down any side effects.

•Talk with your doctor if you can’t handle the side effects or you aren’t feeling better.

•Follow the directions for your medicine. Never stop taking your medicine or change your dosage before talking with your doctor.

•Avoid alcohol, which can reduce the effects of your medicine. And let your doctor know about any other over-the-counter or herbal medicines you take.

•Make and keep appointments with your doctor. If you need help making an appointment, call MetroPlus at 1.800.303.9626.

•Have a follow-up visit with a mental health specialist within 30 days of a mental health inpatient discharge.

Questions to askYou are likely to have many questions for your doctor. Try writing them down and bringing them to your visit.

These are good questions to ask about your medicine:

•When and how often should I take it?

•How will I know if it’s working?

•What do I do if I forget to take it?

•What are the side effects?

•Are there foods I should avoid while taking it?

•Can I drink alcohol while taking this?

•Can I take it along with the other medicine I am taking?

•How long will I need to take it?

•How much does it cost?

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The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical

care and advice of your doctor. There may be variations in treatment that your doctor may

recommend based on individual facts about you.

MetroPlus Health Plan 160 Water St. 3rd Fl, New York, NY 10038

MetroPlus Medicaid: 1.800.475.METRO (6387) (TTY 1.800.881.2812)

MetroPlus Medicare: 1.866.986.0356 TTY: 711MetroPlus MLTC: 1.855.355.MLTC (6582)

(TTY: 1.800.881.2812)Hours of operation: Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

When will I feel better?Antidepressants start working faster in some people than others. Some people start to feel better the first week. It’s more common, though, to start seeing clear benefits in 2 to 4 weeks.

What if you aren’t feeling any better after a month? Your doctor may make changes to your treatment. He or she might change your dose or try a new kind of medicine. Adding a second medicine or adding “talk therapy” are other options. Talk therapy is also called psychotherapy. This is talking with a specialist about how to make changes to feel better.

Sometimes an antidepressant is working, but it takes even longer to tell. It may take 4 to 8 weeks to feel the full effect. But it’s worth the wait. As your depression eases, you may notice these changes:

•You have more energy.

•You can concentrate better.

•You’re doing better at work.

•You enjoy things you’d lost interest in.

Do you need help coordinating appointments or getting transportation to your talk therapy? Call MetroPlus at 1.800.303.9626 and ask for Case Management. We also can help with prescription coverage questions.

What about side effects?You may have some side effects when you start your treatment. This is most likely to happen in the first few weeks. Don’t get discouraged.

Short-term problemsThese are side effects you may have from the more common antidepressants:

•Nausea

•Vomiting

•Diarrhea

•Not being able to sleep

•Headaches

•Jitters

Ask your doctor about ways to feel better. Taking your medicine after food may be easier on your stomach, for instance. And taking your medicine in the morning may reduce sleep problems.

Call your doctor if you have pain, chills, fever, or blurred vision.

Longer-term effectsA few side effects last longer. They include:

•Sexual problems for men and women. If the problem doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. It may help to lower your dose or switch medicines.

•Weight gain. This may be partly due to increased appetite. Try better food choices and exercise. Your doctor may also suggest a new medicine.

•Not being able to sleep. This is most often a short-term problem. If it lasts, tell your doctor. He or she may prescribe a sleeping aid or melatonin supplements. Limit caffeine, especially after noon.

Get the help you needMedicine can help with depression. It can balance the chemicals in your brain to make you feel like yourself again. Medicines that treat depression are called antidepressants.

If you suffer from depression, your doctor might prescribe 1 kind of medicine or a combination of medicines.

There are many kinds of medicine for depression. Each has its own way of working. Your doctor will choose a kind that fits your needs the best. This will be based on your symptoms and your history of depression. Most antidepressants are not addictive.

Be patient. Antidepressants often take 3 to 4 weeks to start working. They may take up to 6 weeks for people ages 65 and older. Sometimes, your doctor may need to change the dose or give you a new medicine before you really begin to feel better.

To get the most out of your treatment, work closely with your doctor. Don’t stop taking your medicine unless your doctor says it’s OK.