Group Main Use | Medication Brand/Generic |
Form | Dose Schedule | Dose Range | Most Common Side Effects for Group | Pros for Group | Cautions for Group |
Remeron (depression booster, sleep, and appetite increase) |
Remeron |
Tablet, Scored 15 mg 30 mg 45 mg Solutab 15, 30, 45mg |
Once a day, evening | Child:7.5-30 mg Adoles:7.5-45 mg Adult 15-45 mg |
Sedation, often increases appetite. May be less sedation at higher doses. | Less GI or sexual side effects than SRI group. Helps sleep, agitation and anxiety. Combination of Norepinephrine and serotonin boost. May boost other meds. Few interactions. No Routine labs or EKG. May help GI. Generic | As with all antidepressants, avoid combinations or overlap with MAOI. Same time onset as SRI or TCA. |
Wellbutrin (depression, booster) |
Wellbutrin |
Tablet
|
Given 2-3 times a
day. Start in the a.m. SR 1-2 times a day. XL once a day Aplenzin once a day |
Child:
37.5-150mg Adoles: 75-300mg Adult: 150-450mg |
Increased energy. Decreased appetite. |
No significant sexual side
effects. No labs or EKG needed. Very few interactions. May help Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Good for boosting other meds. Approved to help stop smoking. Generic |
Avoid if personal seizure
history. Caution if family seizure history. Avoid if bulimia. Probably less effective than SRI for severe anxiety. Same time onset as SRI and TCA and all other antidepressants. |
(depression sleep) |
Desyrel trazodone |
Tablets 50mg, 100mg, 150mg, 300mg |
Usually bedtime
only |
Child: 25-200mg Adoles: 25-300mg Adult: 50-600mg |
Sedation significant especially with Trazodone. Dizziness. | Excellent sleep aid. Often used to help sleep along with SRI or Wellbutrin. Not habit forming. Inexpensive generic. | One in 10,000 risk of priapism. Trazodone relatively weaker antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication. |
SNRI Serotonin and Norepinephrine Inhibitors (depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, pain) Savella (fibromyalgia, depression) Fetzima (depression) |
Effexor (venlafaxine) Effexor XR (venlafaxine) Pristig XR (desvenlafaxine) |
tablet,
scored 25, 37.5, 75, 100 mg XR (extended release) 37.5, 75, 150 mg XR tablets 50, 100 mg |
2
or 3 times a day XR once a day |
Child:
25-200 mg Adoles: 75-300 mg Adult: 150-450 mg 50 - < 400 mg |
Similar to SRI plus a bit more night sweat and constipation sometimes. |
Effexor
and other SNRI's
increase both serotonin and norepinephrine thus affecting two important
neurotransmitter systems, unlike SRI's. May be
broader spectrum effect because of two transmitters increased. Fewer interactions. Same as Effexor. Research shows some benefit against pain. FDA approval of Cymbalta for pain is a plus. |
Slight
risk increased blood pressure at doses over 200 mg total a day. (less than
5% chance.) Discontinuation syndrome (nausea, dizziness, "flu-ish," "out of sorts" may occur if stopped suddenly without taper or skip on or several days. Not dangerous, but unpleasant. More likely with Paxil or Effexor, not with Prozac because it lasts longer. Can occur with SRI, SNRI, or TCA. Cymbalta rare liver injury especially if alcohol abuse. |
Cymbalta (duloxetine) |
capsule 20 mg 30 mg 60 mg |
once or twice a day | 30-120 mg usually 60 mg for adults | Similar to
SRI and Effexor above. Tends to increase energy and weight neutral. |
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Although
Savella is an SNRI like others and approved in Europe for depression, it
is FDA approved so far only for Fibromyalgia. Fetzima is approved for depression, not fibromyalgia. These 2 emphasize norepinephrine more than serotonin. Both are brand only. |
Because it is an SNRI avoid use with an SRI or other SNRI. These 2 SNRI meds are very similar to other 3. Newer in US. |
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Savella milnacipran Fetzima levomilnacipran |
Tablets 12.5, 25, 50, 100mg XR capsules 20, 40, 80, 120mg |
Usually twice a day Once a day |
12.5 to 200mg 100mg is adult usual dose after building up slowly. 40-120mg adults |
Like other SNRIs. Can affect liver or urine flow. Nausea and constipation are most common. Little weight effect if any. |
All these medications should be taken 7 days a week to be effective. Simultaneous use of alcohol or cigarettes and especially street drugs should be avoided. All antidepressants may increase mania risk in persons with Bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. All medications should be avoided if possible in pregnancy. This chart is intended to be a summary guide, not a full and complete list.