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Medication Table: Antidepressants (including SSRIs) in Adults

Summary: Information for prescribers for key antidepressants used in adult depression.
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Antidepressant Medication Table (Adults) 

 

Name (Brandname)

Start dose

Initial target dose

Max dose

Sedation

QT

Weight Gain

Sexual

Comments

SSRI

Citalopram (Celexa)

10

20

40

0

1+

1+

3+

Watch for QTc prolongation if >40 mg daily

 

Escitalopram (Cipralex)

5

10

20 (30*)

0

1+

1+

3+

S-isomner of Citalopram

 

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

10

20

80

0

1+

1+

3+

Long half-life useful for teenagers; however, caution in elderly
Watch for drug-drug interactions

 

Sertraline (Zoloft)

25

50

200

1+

0-1+

1+

3+

May be used in panic disorder; consider in postpartum

 

Paroxetine (Paxil)

10

20

50

1+

0-1+

2+

4+

Short half-life; watch for discontinuation syndrome
Avoid in elderly and pregnancy

 

Vortioxetine (Trintellix)

5

10

20

0

0

0

0-3+

Sexual side effects are dose dependent
Crossover when switching

 

Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

50

100

300

1+

0-1+

1+

3+

Significant GI side effects

SNRI

Venlafaxine XR (Effexor)

37.5

75

225 (300*)

1+

1+

0

3+

May increase blood pressure! Watch for discontinuation syndrome

 

Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

50

50

100

1+

0

0

3+

May increase blood pressure! Watch for discontinuation syndrome

 

Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

30

60 

120

0

0

0

3+

Also approved for several pain conditions

NDRI

Bupropion XL (Welbutrin)

150

300

300 (450*)

0

1+

0

0

Avoid in those prone to seizures and in eating disorder

NaSSA

Mirtazapine (Remeron)

30

30

45

4+

1+

4+

1+

Significant sedation and increased appetite.

 

 

Date Posted: Jun 22, 2016
Date of Last Revision: Mar 27, 2022

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