Matt Sommers, PharmD

Medication

How Long Does It Take for Seroquel® to Start Working? The First 14 days

Key Highlights * Seroquel® (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic often used to support the management of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. * It can take several weeks or months for mood stabilization effects to become more consistent, but some effects (e.g., management of hallucinations) may take effect sooner. * It is important to track your progress and keep in touch with your healthcare provider during the first 14 days and afterward. * While Seroquel is generally safe, it can caus

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Medication

How Long Does It Take Pristiq® to Work?

Key Highlights * Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is a medicine mainly used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. * It is a type of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This means it helps balance the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. * While it works well to ease symptoms of depression, it may take a few weeks to feel its full effects. * Some doctors may also prescribe Pristiq to help manage other conditions, like anxiety and panic disorder. * The

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Medication

How Long Does It Take for Effexor® to Work? The First 7 Days

Key Highlights * Venlafaxine (Effexor) is often used to help manage mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and major depressive disorder. * Effexor is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which means it raises the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. * You might notice some early beneficial effects of Effexor for mood within the first 1-2 weeks. * To get a feel for the full beneficial effect

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Medication

How Long Does it Take Abilify to Work? The First 7 Days

Key Highlights * Abilify, also known as aripiprazole, is a commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotic. * It's used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Depending on the diagnosis, it’s recommended for both adults and children. * For some purposes, Abilify works quickly. However, for overall mood stabilization, you might notice subtle shifts within the first week or two, but it can take several weeks or months to assess the effects of a part

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Medication

How Long Does it Take for Guanfacine to Work? The First 7 days

Key Highlights * Extended-release guanfacine (Intuniv) is used to manage ADHD symptoms. Unlike many treatment options for ADHD, guanfacine is not a stimulant. * It works by acting on certain receptors in the brain, helping with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. * Some people may notice small changes in just a few days after starting guanfacine, but it often takes a few weeks to establish how well the medication is likely to work at a particular dosage. * While guanfacine is not add

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Diet and Mental Health: How Food Impacts Your Mind

Key Highlights * The food you eat can affect your mental health. * Diet provides nutrients that can impact the levels of things like cortisol and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. * Nutritional psychiatry explores the link between diet and mental health. * Important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals may support mental health. * Different diets, such as the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets, may have an effect on anxiety, depression, and you

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What is Methylation? A Basic Guide

Key Highlights * Methylation is an important process in the body. It adds a methyl group to molecules like DNA and proteins. * This process helps control gene expression. Methylation can turn genes ‘off.’ * Keeping a balanced methylation status is essential for good health. It is important for many functions, from cell division to immune system function. * Many things can affect methylation, such as diet, lifestyle, the environment, and genes themselves. * Learning about methylation can he

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Medication

How Long Does It Take for Zoloft to Work? What to expect the in the first 7 days

Key Highlights * Zoloft, which is also called sertraline, is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is often used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and more. * Zoloft works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. This neurotransmitter helps with mood, emotions, sleep, and other important functions. * Usually, you might start to see small changes in mood within the first week or two. However, it often takes a f

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Medication

How Long Does it Take for Adderall to Work: Quick Guide

Key Highlights * Adderall is a common treatment for ADHD. There are two types of Adderall available: immediate-release (Adderall IR) and extended-release (Adderall XR). * While it may take time to establish a helpful target dose, Adderall becomes effective the same day it’s used. While many individuals are prescribed a daily dose, disruptions in therapy are also sometimes recommended (e.g., no doses on the weekends or targeting only school days), and the medication will likely remain benefici

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Nutrigenomics

What is Epigenetics? Everything you need to know

Key Highlights * Epigenetics explores how gene behavior changes without altering the underlying DNA sequence, impacting how our bodies read and utilize genetic information. * Imagine it like this: if genes are the hardware, epigenetics is the software, dictating how those genes operate. * The intricate world of epigenetics includes several key factors, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and the fascinating realm of non-coding RNAs. * These epigenetic modifications are influenc

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Medication

Exploring SNRIs: Uses, Types, and Side Effects

Key Highlights * SNRIs, or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, are a class of medications primarily used to treat mental health disorders like major depression and anxiety disorders. * These medications work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which play crucial roles in regulating mood, emotions, and focus. * Compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), SNRIs might be more effective for chronic pain while potentially having a slig

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Nutrigenomics

Exploring Antidepressants That Promote Weight Loss

Key Highlights * Many antidepressants may cause weight gain, but some, like bupropion, may help with weight loss. * Knowing how different antidepressants affect weight change can help people choose the right treatment for themselves. * Making lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet and staying physically active, is important for managing weight while taking antidepressants. * It’s also important to talk openly with healthcare providers to share concerns and change treatment plans

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Depression

When to See a Psychiatrist: Key Signs & Guidelines

Key Highlights * A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses, treats, and prevents mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. * They can look at both the physical aspects and the psychological aspects of mental health conditions. * Psychiatrists provide many treatment options, including therapy, medication management, and other methods, like transcranial magnetic stimulation. * People who have ongoing sadness, anxiety, significant behavior changes, or trouble dealing with life events mi

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Medication

Lexapro® and Alcohol: What You Need to Know

Key Highlights * Lexapro is a popular medicine used to treat depression. * You should avoid drinking alcohol when taking Lexapro. * Mixing alcohol and Lexapro can increase side effects, such as tiredness, dizziness, and impaired judgment. * Alcohol can also make Lexapro less effective and harm your mental health. * If you are considering drinking alcohol while on Lexapro, talk to your healthcare provider first. Introduction Lexapro (escitalopram) is a type of medication that belongs to

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OPRM1 Gene Its Role In Opioid Abuse and Alcoholism

Key Highlights * The OPRM1 gene influences how the body feels pain and affects motivation and reward pathways. * Changes in the OPRM1 gene, like the A118G polymorphism, are associated with higher rates of opioid and alcohol addiction. * Some versions of the OPRM1 gene may change how sensitive a person is to pain and how well certain drugs, like opioid painkillers, work for them. * Testing the OPRM1 gene may guide personalized medical treatments for pain management. * The ethics of genetic

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