In commencing an SSRI or other antidepressant, NICE recommends that the patient should expect a review within two weeks to check the person's symptoms are improving and for side effects. However, it advises there should be a review one week after starting antidepressant medication if a new prescription is for a person aged 18 to 25 years or if there is a particular concern for risk of suicide.¹⁴

NMS specifications require the initial ‘intervention consultation’ should occur between 7-14 days after the patient starts the new medicine with a follow up consultation 14-21 days after this.¹⁶

Standard questions should aim to review aspects such as the patient’s adherence to the medicine(s), whether there have been any problems, what the patient’s expectations are about the medicine and what further information and support may be appropriate. The pharmacist can then decide whether there needs to be a referral back to the prescriber.⁹

The patient may need to be reminded that medication should typically be taken for at least six months, including after symptoms remit, with regular reviews.¹⁴