Medication

Daily Dose

Uses

Precautions

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors

Citalopram

10–40 mg

Depression, anxiety^OL

Gastrointestinal upset, nausea, insomnia

Escitalopram

5–20 mg

Depression, anxiety

Fluoxetine

10–40 mg

Depression, anxiety

Paroxetine

10–40 mg

Depression, anxiety

Inhibits the cytochrome P-450 system

Sertraline

25–100 mg

Depression, anxiety

Trazodone

25–150 mg

When sedation is desirable

Sedation, falls, hypotension

Serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors

Duloxetine

20–60 mg

Depression, diabetic neuropathy

Nausea, dry mouth, dizziness

Mirtazapine

7.5–30 mg

Useful for depression with insomnia

Sedation, hypotension

Venlafaxine

25–150 mg

Useful in severe depression

Hypertension may be a problem, insomnia

Tricyclic antidepressants

Desipramine

10–100 mg

Depression, anxiety

Anticholinergic effects, hypotension, sedation, cardiac arrhythmias

Nortriptyline

10–75 mg

High efficacy for depression if side effects are tolerable; therapeutic range 50–150 ng/dL

Anticholinergic effects, hypotension, sedation, cardiac arrhythmias

Other

Bupropion

75–225 mg

More activating, lack of cardiac effects

Irritability, insomnia