Starting an Antidepressant Charleston SC - Side Effects Timeline | Hope Integrative Medicine
November 7, 2026 · 1:14
Why side effects come before benefits on an SSRI or SNRI, how long the early anxiety and sleep problems last, and when to expect improvement.
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Transcript
Starting Lexapro, Zoloft or Cymbalta: side effects and when it starts to work. Here are three things to know. Starting Lexapro, Zoloft or Cymbalta takes patience, because side effects usually show up before the benefits. Common early ones include nausea, headache, feeling jittery or more anxious, sleep changes and sweating. Most of these ease within one to two weeks as your body adjusts. Sleep, energy and appetite often improve first, within one to three weeks. Mood and worry usually take four to six weeks, and the full effect can take eight weeks or more. If there is little change by then, your prescriber may adjust the plan. Not responding to the first medicine is common. Tell your prescriber about every medicine and supplement you take, and about sexual side effects, which can often be managed. Report agitation, unusual restlessness or worsening mood right away. And do not stop the medicine suddenly, even if you feel better. Talk with your prescriber first. Read the full article at hopeintegrativemed.com. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nausea or an upset stomach, headache, feeling jittery or more anxious, trouble sleeping or feeling drowsy, and sweating. Most of these ease within one to two weeks as your body adjusts.
Sleep, energy and appetite often improve first, within one to three weeks. Mood and worry usually take longer.
If there is little change after about eight weeks, your prescriber may adjust the dose or try a different medicine. Not responding to the first one is common and does not mean nothing will work.
