Week 5 antidepressant
table
, Antidepressant Medications
Name Indication, starting dose, Half-life Notes/Notable side effects/Precautions
target symptoms, and (T1/2)
affected neurotransmitters CYP450
enzyme
SSRIs
Citalopram Selective serotonin reuptake Parent drug Notable side effects: sexual dysfunction, decreased appetite, N/V/D,
(Celexa) inhibitor 23-45 hour constipation, dry mouth, dose-dependent insomnia, agitation, tremors,
half-life. headache, dizziness, sweating, bruising and rare bleeding.
Commonly prescribed for
depression, PMDD, OCD, panic Weak Precautions: rare seizures, rare mania, rare activation of suicidal
disorder, GAD, PTSD, social inhibitor of ideation, sedation. Caution with patients with seizure disorders, bipolar
anxiety disorder CYP450 2D6. disorder, monitor for SI in children and adolescents
Starting dose: 20mg/day Metabolized Notes: mild antihistamine properties may contribute to sedation and
by CYP450 fatigue in some. Risks versus benefits in pregnancy and breast feeding.
Blocks serotonin and serotonin 3A4 and
reuptake pump, desensitizes 2C19
serotonin receptors,
presumably increases
serotonergic
neurotransmission
Escitalopram Selective serotonin reuptake Mean Notable side effects: sexual dysfunction, decreased appetite, N/V/D,
(Lexapro) inhibitor terminal half constipation, dry mouth, dose-dependent insomnia, agitation, tremors,
life 27-32 headache, dizziness, sweating, bruising and rare bleeding.
Commonly prescribed for hours.
MDD, GAD, panic disorder, Precautions: rare seizures, rare mania, rare activation of suicidal
OCD, PTSD, social anxiety Substrate for ideation, sedation. Caution with patients with seizure disorders, bipolar
disorder, and PMDD CYP450 2C19 disorder, monitor for SI in children and adolescents
and 3A4
Starting dose: 10mg/day Notes: may be among the best tolerated antidepressants. Commonly
No used as an augmenting agent as it has least interactions with CYP450.
Blocks serotonin and serotonin significant
reuptake pump, desensitizes actions of
serotonin receptors,
table
, Antidepressant Medications
Name Indication, starting dose, Half-life Notes/Notable side effects/Precautions
target symptoms, and (T1/2)
affected neurotransmitters CYP450
enzyme
SSRIs
Citalopram Selective serotonin reuptake Parent drug Notable side effects: sexual dysfunction, decreased appetite, N/V/D,
(Celexa) inhibitor 23-45 hour constipation, dry mouth, dose-dependent insomnia, agitation, tremors,
half-life. headache, dizziness, sweating, bruising and rare bleeding.
Commonly prescribed for
depression, PMDD, OCD, panic Weak Precautions: rare seizures, rare mania, rare activation of suicidal
disorder, GAD, PTSD, social inhibitor of ideation, sedation. Caution with patients with seizure disorders, bipolar
anxiety disorder CYP450 2D6. disorder, monitor for SI in children and adolescents
Starting dose: 20mg/day Metabolized Notes: mild antihistamine properties may contribute to sedation and
by CYP450 fatigue in some. Risks versus benefits in pregnancy and breast feeding.
Blocks serotonin and serotonin 3A4 and
reuptake pump, desensitizes 2C19
serotonin receptors,
presumably increases
serotonergic
neurotransmission
Escitalopram Selective serotonin reuptake Mean Notable side effects: sexual dysfunction, decreased appetite, N/V/D,
(Lexapro) inhibitor terminal half constipation, dry mouth, dose-dependent insomnia, agitation, tremors,
life 27-32 headache, dizziness, sweating, bruising and rare bleeding.
Commonly prescribed for hours.
MDD, GAD, panic disorder, Precautions: rare seizures, rare mania, rare activation of suicidal
OCD, PTSD, social anxiety Substrate for ideation, sedation. Caution with patients with seizure disorders, bipolar
disorder, and PMDD CYP450 2C19 disorder, monitor for SI in children and adolescents
and 3A4
Starting dose: 10mg/day Notes: may be among the best tolerated antidepressants. Commonly
No used as an augmenting agent as it has least interactions with CYP450.
Blocks serotonin and serotonin significant
reuptake pump, desensitizes actions of
serotonin receptors,
