Antidepressant Medication Table (Adults)
Antidepressant Medication Table (Adults) | Choosing an Antidepressant
  Name (Brandname) Starting dose Initial target dose Max dose Anti-cholinergic Sedation Insomnia / Agitation Orthostatic Hypotension QT GI Weight Gain Sexual Comments
SSRI Citalopram (Celexa) 10 20 40 0 0 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 3+ Watch for QTc prolongation if >40 mg daily
  Escitalopram (Cipralex) 5 10 20 (30*) 0 0 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 3+ S-isomner of Citalopram
  Fluoxetine (Prozac) 10 20 80 0 0 2+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 3+ Long half-life useful for teenagers; however, caution in elderly
Watch for drug-drug interactions
  Sertraline (Zoloft) 25 50 200 0 1+ 2+ 1+ 0 to 1+ 2+ 1+ 3+ May be used in panic disorder; consider in postpartum
  Paroxetine (Paxil) 10 20 50 1+ 1+ 1+ 2+ 0 to 1+ 1+ 2+ 4+ Short half-life; watch for discontinuation syndrome
Avoid in elderly and pregnancy
  Vortioxetine (Trintellix) 5 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 2+ 0 0-3+ Sexual side effects are dose dependent
Crossover when switching
  Fluvoxamine (Luvox) 50 100 300 0 1+ 1+ 1+ 0 to 1+ 1+ 1+ 3+ Significant GI side effects
SNRI Venlafaxine XR (Effexor) 37.5 75 225 (300*) 0 1+ 2+ 0 1+ 1+ 0 3+ May increase blood pressure! Watch for discontinuation syndrome
  Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) 50 50 100 0 1+ 2+ 0 0 1+ 0 3+ May increase blood pressure! Watch for discontinuation syndrome
  Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30 60 120 0 0 2+ 0 0 2+ 0 3+ Also approved for several pain conditions
NDRI Bupropion XL (Welbutrin) 150 300 300 (450*) 0 0 2+ 0 1+ 1+ 0 0 Avoid in those prone to seizures and in eating disorder
NaSSA Mirtazapine (Remeron) 30 30 45 1+ 4+ 0 0 1+ 0 4+ 1+ Significant sedation and increased appetite.

* Above the Health Canada recommended dosage. However, consider exceeding recommended dosage in special circumstances with input from psychiatry when possible