How long should an antidepressant be tried before considering a switch to another one?

An antidepressant should typically be tried for a duration of 8-12 weeks before considering a switch to another medication. This time frame allows for a sufficient evaluation of the drug's effectiveness and any potential side effects. Many antidepressants require a few weeks to build up therapeutic levels in the bloodstream and to effectively alleviate symptoms of depression.

During the first few weeks, patients may experience some improvement in symptoms, but it often takes longer – sometimes 6 to 8 weeks or more – to gauge the full therapeutic effect. If there is insufficient response or unacceptable side effects after this period, a switch to another antidepressant may be warranted.

In contrast, shorter periods such as 1-2 weeks may not provide enough time to accurately assess the medication's effects, while 3-6 months is excessively long to wait for a treatment response before considering alternatives. Likewise, 4-6 weeks may be too brief to determine the effectiveness of an antidepressant. Therefore, the 8-12 week timeframe is the standard recommendation in clinical practice.