DrugDosage (mg per day)*DosingCost (generic)Common side effectsInteractions
Tricyclic antidepressants (tertiary)
Amitriptyline (Elavil)‡25 to 300Single or divided$16 ($11)Anticholinergic effects, sedation, cardiac effects, orthostatic hypotension, weight gain, lower seizure thresholdAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Imipramine (Tofranil)25 to 300Single or divided48 (1 to 22)Same as aboveAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Doxepin (Sinequan)‡25 to 300Single or divided17 (12)Same as aboveAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Trimipramine (Surmontil)25 to 300Single or divided32Same as aboveAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Clomipramine (Anafranil)25 to 300Single or divided90 (25)Same as aboveAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Tricyclic antidepressants (secondary)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)25 to 250Single or divided102 (6 to 26)Same as aboveAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Protriptyline (Vivactil)15 to 60Single or divided85Same as aboveAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Desipramine (Norpramin)25 to 300Single or divided26 (8 to 15)Same as aboveAntiarrhythmics,§ MAOIs§
Amoxapine (Asendin)‡50 to 600Single or divided(30 to 37)Extrapyramidal movement disorders, male sexual dysfunction, endocrine dysfunctionMAOIs§
MAOIs
Phenelzine (Nardil)45 to 90Divided49Orthostatic hypotensionMAOIs,§ meperidine (Demerol),§ vasoconstrictors,§ narcotics,§ decongestants§
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)30 to 60Divided60Orthostatic hypotensionMAOIs,§ meperidine,§ vasoconstrictors,§ narcotics,§ decongestants§
SSRIs
Sertraline (Zoloft)50 to 200Single72GI symptoms, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, headacheMAOIs,§ tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, antiarrhythmics§
Fluoxetine (Prozac)20 to 80Single or divided100 (80)GI symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, weight lossMAOIs,§ tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, antiarrhythmics§
Paroxetine (Paxil)20 to 50Single85GI symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, fatigueMAOIs,§ tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, antiarrhythmics§
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)50 to 300Single(77 to 89)GI symptoms, anxiety, insomniaMAOIs,§ tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, antiarrhythmics,§ antihistamines§
Citalopram (Celexa)20 to 60Single72GI symptoms, anxiety, somnolence, sexual dysfunctionMAOIs,§ tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, antiarrhythmics,§ antihistamines§
Escitalopram (Lexapro)10 to 20Single67GI symptoms, anxiety, somnolence, sexual dysfunctionMAOIs,§ tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, antiarrhythmics,§ antihistamines§
Other agents
Maprotiline (Ludiomil)‡50 to 225Single or divided(22)Lower seizure thresholdMAOIs§
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)100 to 450Divided42 (29)Lower seizure thresholdMAOIs§
Trazodone (Desyrel)‡50 to 600Single or divided65 (13)Sedation, orthostatic hypotension, priapismMAOIs§
Venlafaxine (Effexor)75 to 375Divided51Anxiety, sexual dysfunction, increased blood pressure, mild sedation, visual symptomsMAOIs,§ SSRIs, antihistamines,§ benzodiazopines, neuroleptics
Nefazodone (Serzone)200 to 600Divided36Same as aboveMAOIs,§ SSRIs, antihistamines,§ benzodiazopines, neuroleptics
Mirtazapine (Remeron)15 to 45Single81 (72)Sedation, increased appetite, constipation, astheniaMAOIs,§ SSRIs, antihistamines,§ benzodiazopines, neuroleptics