When Is the Best Time to Take Antidepressants?

The answer depends on the side effects you experience

Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MDMedically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD

The best time to take an antidepressant depends on the side effects you experience. Consider the common side effects of your medication, how it influences your quality of life, and what time of day it's most active.

For example, if your doctor has prescribed Prozac (fluoxetine), you might notice common side effects such as insomnia, agitation, nausea, and vomiting. If you are experiencing insomnia, take your medication in the morning. If you have nausea, take it at night.

Not everyone experiences these effects; medications affect each person differently. Discuss timing and dosage with your healthcare provider.

When to Take an Antidepressant in the Morning

Antidepressants are sometimes best taken in the morning due to potential side effects. Here are a few to consider.

Insomnia

Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the class of antidepressants most often used, can disrupt sleep for some people and would be best taken in the morning.

For example, the manufacturer of Prozac (fluoxetine) recommends it be taken in the morning because it can make some people feel more energized, especially at the beginning of treatment. Effexor (venlafaxine) is sometimes recommended to be taken in the morning because it may interfere with sleep when taken at night.

Takeaway

However, when Prozac is given in combination with Zyprexa (olanzapine)—a combination called Symbyax—as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression, it can cause sleepiness, so then it's recommended to be taken in the evening.

Paxil (paroxetine) is generally taken in the morning in order to prevent sleeplessness at night. However, it may be given at bedtime if it is found to cause drowsiness in the person taking it. Wellbutrin (bupropion) is another antidepressant that is recommended to be taken in the morning in order to prevent insomnia at night.

Urinary Problems

When prescribed in children or adolescents, Zoloft can cause frequent urination as well as urinary incontinence. In this case, taking the pill in the morning can prevent any nighttime bedwetting.

While relatively uncommon, urinary incontinence can also sometimes be a side effect of Wellbutrin (bupropion).

Sexual Issues

If you experience sexual side effects (such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, or inability to ejaculate) from your antidepressant, the timing of when you take your antidepressant can make a difference.

Antidepressants are the most likely to cause sexual side effects include SSRIs such as Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, and MAOIs such as Nardil (phenelzine).

Research indicates that it may be helpful to consider the time of day when you're most likely to engage in sexual activity and plan to take your antidepressant shortly thereafter.

When to Take an Antidepressant at Night

Some side effects are better tolerated if an antidepressant is taken closer to bedtime. These are a few of the effects that fall into this category.

Drowsiness

Unlike some SSRIs, some antidepressants can make you feel drowsy, so they're better tolerated if you take them at bedtime. Among these medications are Luvox (fluvoxamine), Remeron (mirtazapine), and the tricyclic antidepressants, including:

• Elavil (amitriptyline)

• Norpramin (desipramine)

• Tofranil (imipramine)

• Pamelor (nortriptyline)

Nausea

Some classes of antidepressants (mostly SSRIs) can trigger nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Commonly prescribed antidepressants that may cause nausea include:

• Celexa (citalopram)

• Lexapro (escitalopram)

• Prozac (fluoxetine)

• Viibryd (vilazodone)

• Wellbutrin (bupropion)

• Zoloft (sertraline)

While this often resolves itself as your body adjusts to the medication, sticking to a nighttime medication schedule can also help by hopefully allowing you to sleep through any digestive woes.

Other Optimal Medication Strategies

In addition to discussing with your doctor the time of day that is best to take your antidepressant, it's critical to remember that there are other strategies that affect how well your medication will work, including:

Have Patience

It typically takes several weeks for the full therapeutic effects of antidepressants to kick in. Remember that antidepressants take time to work, potentially anywhere from six to 12 weeks for the full effect, although many people notice improvement within a week or two.

However, you may begin experiencing side effects during the first week. Many of these side effects will gradually subside as your body adjusts to your medication.

When you start your antidepressant, keep in close contact with your doctor and stay positive. You can find a way to treat your condition, but it may take a little bit of trial and error.

Stay Consistent

Take your antidepressant as directed at the same time every day and do not stop it without first talking to your doctor.

Takeaway

If you've taken an antidepressant for one month or longer, you may experience withdrawal, otherwise known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, when you quit.

Talk to Your Doctor

If your antidepressant is causing side effects, remember that many, if not all of them, will go away with time. If the side effects are intolerable, get in touch with your doctor right away. Finding relief may be as simple as changing the dose, switching to a different antidepressant, or adding a second medication to ease the side effect.

The Takeaway

Taking an antidepressant needs to be part of a well-thought-out plan with your doctor to maximize its benefits and minimize any potential side effects. Don't make any changes to your treatment plan without consulting with your doctor first.

The recommendations noted above are general and may or may not be applicable to your own unique situation. Your doctor will be able to provide you with specific recommendations about whether your antidepressant should be taken at a particular time of day for the best results for you.

Read the original article on Verywell Mind.