Administration of Antidepressants with Food

General Guidelines

The American Gastroenterological Association recommends that Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) be taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects and improve tolerability 2, 1
Taking Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) with food may help reduce common gastrointestinal side effects 1
When used as gut-brain neuromodulators for conditions like IBS, TCAs should be initiated at a low dose and titrated slowly, preferably taken with food 2

For medications with sedative effects, such as TCAs, evening administration with food may be preferable 1
When prescribing TCAs for patients with IBS-C, secondary amine TCAs may be better tolerated due to their lower anticholinergic effects, and taking them with food can further improve tolerance 3

Taking medication with food may improve tolerability and adherence, especially during the initial phase of treatment 1, 2