CREDITS
By Dr Melane van Zyl
This is by far the most boring blog I have ever written. On my website, I promise a list of common antidepressants and the minimum effective dose- so here it is!
As boring as this list is, as important as it is to be aware of the minimum dose you must take for your antidepressant to have an effect. I often see patients who only drink half the required dose. In almost all cases, these patients are not getting the desired benefits of their medication.
In general, if the patient is not better on the minimum dose and there are no noticeable side effects, we will increase the dose.
Patients with depression must also be aware of Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). If you have tried two different antidepressants from two different classes without recovering from depression, you might fulfill the criteria for TRD. This means that we should look at other options, including augmentation, psychotherapy, or TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
It’s important to note that the appropriate dosage of an antidepressant varies depending on the individual’s specific needs, metabolism, and response to the medication. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or adjusting the dosage of any medication. Below is a list of some common antidepressants and their typical minimum effective dosages:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):
o Fluoxetine (Nuxak): 20 mg/day
o Sertraline (Serdep): 50 mg/day
o Paroxetine (Paxil): 20 mg/day
o Citalopram (Cilift): 20 mg/day
o Escitalopram (Lexamil): 10 mg/day
o Fluvoxamine (Luvox): 50 mg/day
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs):
o Venlafaxine (Venlor): 75 mg/day
o Desvenlafaxine (Exsira): 50 mg/day
o Duloxetine (Yelate): 60 mg/day
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs):
o Amitriptyline (Elavil): 75 mg/day
o Imipramine (Tofranil): 75 mg/day
o Clomipramine (Anafranil): 75 mg/day
Tetracyclic Antidepressants:
o Mirtazapine (Remeron): 15 mg/day
Atypical Antidepressants:
o Bupropion (Wellbutrin): 150 mg/day (immediate-release) or 174 mg/day (extended-release)
o Trazodone : 150 mg/day
o Vortioxetine (Brintellix): 10 mg/day
Read more about (TRD) Treatment Options