Hi, Abby

As you know three weeks is not enough time to tell if something is working. Three weeks on the lithium does provide some indication if it helps. The Nurse Practitioner will probably order lithium blood work at 6 weeks to check levels.

My own experience is that the side effects can kick in within three days but the benefits can take a month or two or even three.

For some sensitive people, three weeks is long enough to do careful tapering.

Some people can have remissions. Sometimes the light in the spring /summer can make people more up. Less often, people can become up in the winter months.

Maybe in your daughter's case the discontinuation syndrome will be mild because she was only on the anti-depressant for three weeks.

It is o.k. to call any pharmacist with these types of med questions --- especially about stopping a medication.
It is very much o.k. to call the person prescribing the medication. People who practice psychiatry expect telephone calls (or texts or emails) from us.

Mari