TABLE 2.
Antidepressants and augmenters commonly used in the pharmacotherapy of late life depressiona
| Antidepressant class and medication | Typical dose (mg/day) |
|---|---|
| SSRI | |
| Citalopram | 10–20 |
| Escitalopram | 5–20 |
| Fluoxetine | 10–40 |
| Sertraline | 50–200 |
| Vortioxetine | 10–20 |
| Vilazodone | 10–40 |
| Paroxetine | 10–30 |
| SNRI | |
| Venlafaxine | 75–225 |
| Desvenlafaxine | 25–50 |
| Duloxetine | 30–120 |
| Levomilnacipran | 20–120 |
| TCA | |
| Nortriptyline | 20–150 |
| Desipramine | 50–200 |
| MAOI | |
| Tranylcypromine | 30–60 |
| Phenelzine | 60–90 |
| Selegiline (Emsam)b | 3–6c |
| Miscellaneous antidepressants | |
| Bupropion | 100–300 |
| Mirtazapine | 15–45 |
| Esketamine | 84d |
| Agomelatinee (104) | 25–50 |
| Antipsychotic-antidepressant | |
| Quetiapine | 100–600 |
| Antidepressant combinations | |
| SRI+mirtazapinef | |
| SRI+bupropionf | |
| Bupropion+mirtazapinef | |
| Augmenters | |
| Lithium carbonate (105)g | |
| Triidothyronine (106) | 25–50h |
| Methylphenidate (107) | 2.5–5i |
| Aripiprazole (108) | 10–15 |
| Brexpiprazole (109) | 1–3 |
| Testosteroneb (110) | 100–200j |
a
SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; SNRI, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant; MAOI, monoamine oxidase inhibitor; SRI, serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
b
Available for transdermal administration.
c
Per 24 hours.
d
Twice per week.
e
Not available in the United States.
f
In combination, doses up to individual agent maximum levels can be used with caution and appropriate monitoring.
g
Dosed to target ≥0.5 mmol/L.
h
Dosed in micrograms.
i
Twice per day.
j
Intramuscular/weekly.