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Two-week delay in onset of action of antidepressants: new evidence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Alex J. Mitchell
Alex J. Mitchell*
Affiliation:
Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK
*
Dr Alex J. Mitchell, Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Brandon Unit, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Summary

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Many sources purport that antidepressants have a delayed onset of action, measured in weeks rather than days. Recent data using weekly or daily mood ratings demonstrate that maximum improvement occurs during the first 2 weeks, with some improvement within the first 3 days. Methodological issues may underlie the delayed-onset hypothesis.

Type
Editorials
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 188 , Issue 2 , February 2006 , pp. 105 - 106
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Footnotes

Declaration of Interest

None.

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