Antidepressants are medications prescribed to treat depression and certain other mental health conditions. They work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, to help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.
Here are some commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants:
| Medication Generic (Trade name) | Typical Dosing Range* (mg) | Maximum Dosage Recommended (mg) | Available Form | Cost per Month (US$) |
| SSRIs | ||||
| Fluoxetine (Prozac) | 20–60 | 80 | tab, cap, liqud | $80–$250 |
| Sertraline (Zoloft) | 50–200 | 200 | tab, liquid | $80–$200 |
| Paroxetine (Paxil, CR) | 20–75 | 60 or 75 (CR) | tab, liquid | $100–$200 |
| Fluvoxamine (Luvox) | 100–300 | 300 | tab | $80–$240 |
| Citalopram (Celexa) | 20–60 | 60 | tab, liquid | $80–$160 |
| Escitalopram (Lexapro) | 10–20 | 20 | tab, liquid | $70–$110 |
| SNRIs | ||||
| Venlafaxine (Effexor, XR) | 75–375 | 375 or 225 (XR) | tab, cap | $60–$260 |
| Duloxetine (Cymbalta) | 20–60 | 60 | cap | $95–$200 |
| Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) | 50–200 | 400 | tab | $150–$300 |
| TCAs | ||||
| Clomipramine (Anfranil) | 100–250 | 250 | cap | $60–$150 |
| Amitriptyline (Elavil) | 150–300 | 300 | tab | $35–$100 |
| doxepin (Sinequan) | 150–300 | 300 | cap, liquid | $35–$80 |
| Trimipramine (Surmontil) | 150–300 | 300 | cap | $80–$280 |
| Amoxapine (Asendin) | 200–400 | 600 | tab | $100–$200 |
| Protriptyline (Vivactil) | 15–60 | 60 | tab | $70–$280 |
| Desipramine (Norpramin) | 150–300 | 300 | tab | $65–$135 |
| Nortriptyline (Pamelor) | 75–150 | 150 | cap, liquid | $65–$130 |
| Imipramine (Tofranil) | 150–300 | 300 | tab | $60–$120 |
| Maprotiline (Ludiomil) | 75–225 | 225 | tab | $30–$85 |
| MAOIs | ||||
| phenelzine (Nardil) | 45–90 | 90 | tab | $50–$100 |
| Tranylcypromine (Parnate) | 30–60 | 60 | tab | $75–$150 |
| Others | ||||
| Trazodone (Desyrel) | 150–600 | 600 | tab | $45–$180 |
| Mirtazapine (Remeron) | 15–45 | 45 | tab | $80–$125 |
| Nefazodone (Serzone) | 300–600 | 600 | tab | $75–$150 |
| Bupropion (Wellbutrin, SR, XL) | 300–450 | 450 or 400 (SR) | tab | $85–$220 |
It’s important to note that specific dosing and formulations may vary depending on individual factors and the prescribing healthcare professional’s judgment. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for accurate and personalized information regarding antidepressant medications.
