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Rapid onset of true antidepressant action

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Abstract

Antidepressant medications generally are considered to have a delayed onset of action; however, recent evidence is beginning to challenge this conventional wisdom. Meta-analysis of placebo-controlled, randomized trials reveals that patients with depression are more likely to experience a clinically significant response with antidepressants than with placebo by the end of the first week of treatment. About one third of the total treatment benefit over 6 weeks is evident by the end of the first week. Early response to antidepressants is not necessarily a placebo response.

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Correspondence to Matthew J. Taylor.

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Taylor, M.J. Rapid onset of true antidepressant action. Curr Psychiatry Rep 9, 475–479 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-007-0064-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-007-0064-0

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