Add-on Treatments

Depression is often treated with more than one medication. Examples of add on treatments are when medications are added to treat a specific symptom, such as anxiety or sleep disturbance. In other instances one medication may be working but not completely enough to achieve full remission of symptoms. In this case a second antidepressant may be added or a medication that will boost the effect of the antidepressant. Lithium, thyroid medication or buspirone are commonly added to treatment. Lithium or an anticonvulsant medication may be added to treatment as a mood stabilizer. It is important when new medications are being added to treatment to report side effects that are concerning to your health care provider.