Page 17 - Depression in adults: treatment and management

Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222)

ongoing wellness. [2022] [2022]

Pharmacological treatments Pharmacological treatments

Starting antidepressant medication Starting antidepressant medication

1.4.10 When offering a person medication for the treatment of depression, discuss and
agree a management plan with the person. Include:

• the reasons for offering medication

• the choices of medication (if a number of different antidepressants are suitable)

• the dose, and how the dose may need to be adjusted

• the benefits, covering what improvements the person would like to see in their life and
how the medication may help

• the harms, covering both the possible side effects and withdrawal effects, including
any side effects they would particularly like to avoid (for example, weight gain,
sedation, effects on sexual function)

• any concerns they have about taking or stopping the medication (also see the
recommendations on stopping medication).

Make sure they have written information to take away and to review that is
appropriate for their needs. [2022] [2022]

1.4.11 When prescribing antidepressant medication, ensure people have information
about:

• how they may be affected when they first start taking antidepressant medication, and

what these effects might be

• how long it takes to see an effect (usually, if the antidepressant medication is going to

work, within 4 weeks)

• when their first review will be; this will usually be within 2 weeks to check their

symptoms are improving and for side effects, or after 1 week if a new prescription is
for a person aged 18 to 25 years or if there is a particular concern for risk of suicide
(see recommendations on antidepressant medication for people at risk of suicide)

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