A 44-year-old member asked:
How long can it take for antidepressants to get out of your system?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jon Schneideranswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
It varies: Each ad (ant depressant) has its own elimination period based upon how quickly it is broken down and excreted. (poor kidney function may slow elimination from the body). I just did a search for two different ad using the name and 'elimination' and articles came up describing the time in hours i.e. "zoloft and elimination" and found: the elimination half-life of sertraline ranges from 22-36 hours.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 57-year-old male asked:
How long will I have to take antidepressants?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Internal Medicine - Geriatrics 22 years experience
Depends: Length of therapy really depends on the underlying cause of the depression.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Why does it take some antidepressants so long before they kick in?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Ernest Bordinianswered
Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology 33 years experience
Not short acting: It takes time for the blockage of serotonin reuptake to result in increased serotonin neurotransmitter to build up. This may vary a bit in individuals 3-5 weeks is not unsual though some people start seeing some change sooner. Since psychotherapy combined w meds is more effective than either alone - good to start psychotherapy with a clincial psychologist along with starting meds.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated May 1, 2016
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