Depending on our findings once we perform a thorough evaluation, we may recommend one of the following as a first course of action:
- Give your current medications more time. Antidepressants and other medications for depression typically take four to eight weeks to become fully effective and for side effects to ease up. For some people, it takes even longer.
- Increase your dose, if indicated. Because people respond to medications differently, you may benefit from a higher dose of medication than is usually prescribed. Ask us whether this is an option for you — don't change your dose on your own as several factors are involved in determining the proper dose.
- Switch antidepressants. For a number of people, the first antidepressant tried isn't effective. You may need to try several before you find one that works for you.
- Add another type of antidepressant. Our Stony Brook TRD experts may prescribe two different classes of antidepressants at the same time. That way they'll affect a wider range of brain chemicals linked to mood. These chemicals are neurotransmitters that include dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.
- Add a medication generally used for another condition. Or, we may prescribe a medication that's generally used for another mental or physical health problem, along with an antidepressant. This approach, known as augmentation, may include antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety medications, thyroid hormone or other drugs.
- Consider the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) genotyping test, if available. This test checks for specific genes that indicate how well your body can process (metabolize) a medication. Because of inherited (genetic) traits that cause variations in certain cytochrome P450 enzymes, medications may affect people differently. But a CYP450 test isn't a sure way to tell which antidepressant will work — it only provides clues. You'll need to find out first whether or not this test is covered by your insurance.