Drug*Starting dosage (mg/day)Usual daily dosage (mg/day)Half-life (hours)Side effectsCost (generic)
Tricyclic antidepressants
Amitriptyline (Elavil)25 to 75100 to 20021Constipation, sedation, weight gain, orthostatic hypotension, blurred vision, dry mouth$37.00 (3.00 to 6.00)
Desipramine (Norpramin)25 to 75150 to 20022Same as with amitriptyline89.00 (35.00 to 66.00)
Imipramine pamoate (Tofranil-PM)25 to 75150 to 20025Same as with amitriptyline72.00 (4.00 to 8.00)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)2575 to 10032Same as with amitriptyline86.00 (66.00 to 71.00)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)50150 to 20019 to 37Same as with amitriptyline68.00
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Fluoxetine (Prozac)2020 to 4060 (60 to 384, norfluoxetine)Headache, nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, sedation, insomnia, Tremor73.00
Sertraline (Zoloft)5050 to 15026Same as with fluoxetine65.00
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)50100 to 30015Same as with fluoxetine64.00
Paroxetine (Paxil)2020 to 4026Same as with fluoxetine62.00
Atypical antidepressants
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)200200 to 3008 to 12Generalized seizures§ (0.4 percent), agitation, dry mouth, sweating49.00
Venlafaxine (Effexor)7575 to 2253 to 7Sustained hypertension, nervousness, insomnia, anorexia34.00
Nefazodone (Serzone)200300 to 6002 to 4Priapism,§ orthostatic hypotension, somnolence, dry mouth, nausea58.00
Mirtazapine (Remeron)1515 to 4520 to 40Agranulocytosis,§ somnolence, nausea, weight gain, increased cholesterol/triglyceride level59.00