How will I know when my medication is working?

Once you start taking medication, you’re likely eager to start feeling better. Some medications may take effect immediately, but for others, it can take about 2-8 weeks before you start to notice full effects. In addition to the type of medication, the specific dose, and how your body metabolizes the medication will also influence how long a medication takes to work.  

If you notice your symptoms are becoming less intense, that means your medication is doing its job. At the beginning, the changes may be subtle, but over time you should start feeling noticeably better.  

Some patients find it helpful to track their progress in a journal. Make it a daily practice to write down any symptoms or side effects you’re experiencing. This information will help you and your doctor make decisions about your treatment plan.  

If you haven’t noticed any changes since you started taking medication, you might start to feel discouraged. This can be an expected part of the process. Chat with your doctor––there may be a different dose or another medication that works better for you.  

‍