quick reference to psychotropic medication

Developed by John Preston, Psy.D., ABPP

To the best of our knowledge recommended doses and side effects listed below are accurate. However, this is meant as a general reference only, and should not serve as a guideline for prescribing
of medications. Please check the manufacturers product information sheet or the P.D.R. for any changes in dosage schedule or contraindications. (Brand names are registered trademarks.)

antidepressantS

Usual Selective Action On

Daily Dosage Neurotransmitters2
Range
Sedation ACH1
NE
5-HT
DA

NAMES
Generic

Brand

imipramine
desipramine
amitriptyline
nortriptyline
protriptyline
trimipramine
doxepin
clomipramine
maprotiline
amoxapine
trazodone
fluoxetine
bupropion-X.L.
sertraline
paroxetine
venlafaxine-X.R.
fluvoxamine
mirtazapine
citalopram
escitalopram
duloxetine
atomoxetine
mao inhibitors
phenelzine
tranylcypromine
selegiline

Tofranil
Norpramin
Elavil
Aventyl, Pamelor
Vivactil
Surmontil3
Sinequan, Adapin3
Anafranil
Ludiomil
Asendin
Desyrel
Prozac4, Sarafem
Wellbutrin-X.L.4
Zoloft
Paxil
Effexor-X.R.4
Luvox
Remeron
Celexa
Lexapro
Cymbalta
Strattera

150-300
150-300
150-300
75-125
15-40
100-300
150-300
150-250
150-225
150-400
150-400
20-80
150-400
50-200
20-50
75-350
50-300
15-45
10-60
5-20
20-80
60-120

Nardil
Parnate
Emsam (patch)

mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg

30-90 mg
20-60 mg
6-12 mg

mid
low
high
mid
mid
high
high
high
high
mid
mid
low
low
low
low
low
low
mid
low
low
low
low

mid
low
high
mid
mid
mid
mid
high
mid
low
none
none
none
none
low
none
low
mid
none
none
none
low

++
+++++
++
+++
++++
++
++
0
+++++
+++
0
0
++
0
+
++
0
+++
0
0
++++
+++++

+++
0
++++
++
+
++
+++
+++++
0
++
++++
+++++
0
+++++
+++++
+++
+++++
+++
+++++
+++++
++++
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
++
0
0
+
0
0
0
0
0
0

low
low
low

none
none
none

+++
+++
+++

+++
+++
+++

+++
+++
+++

ACH: Anticholinergic Side Effects

NE: Norepinephrine, 5-HT: Serotonin, DA: Dopamine (0 = no effect, + = minimal effect, +++ = moderate effect, +++++ = high effect)
Uncertain, but likely effects
4
Available in standard formulation and time release (XR, XL or CR). Prozac available in 90mg time released/weekly formulation
1
2
3

BIPOLAR DISORDER MEDICATIONS

NAMES
Generic
Brand

lithium carbonate
olanzapine/
fluoxetine
carbamazepine
oxcarbazepine

Daily Serum1
Dosage Range Level

Eskalith, Lithonate 600-2400 0.6-1.5

Symbyax 6/25-12/50mg4
Tegretol,Equetro 600-1600
Trileptal
1200-2400

2
4-10+
(2)

NAMES
Generic Brand Dosage

divalproex
gabapentin
lamotrigine
topiramate
tiagabine

Depakote
Neurontin
Lamictal
Topamax
Gabitril

Daily Serum1
Range
Level

750-1500 50-100
300-2400
(2)
50-500
(2)
50-300
(3)
4-12
(3)

Lithium levels are expressed in mEq/l, carbamazepine and valproic acid levels express in mcg/ml.
Serum monitoring may not necessary 3Not yet established 4Available in: 6/25, 6/50, 12/25, and 12/50mg formulations

1
2

anti-obsessional
NAMES
Generic
Brand

Dose Range1

clomipramine
Anafranil
150-250
fluoxetine
Prozac1
20-80
sertraline
Zoloft1
50-200
paroxetine
Paxil1
20-60
fluvoxamine
Luvox1
50-300
citalopram
Celexa1
10-60
escitalopram
Lexapro1
5-20
1often higher doses are required to control obsessive-compulsive
symptoms than the doses generally used to treat depression.
Copyright 2007, John Preston, Psy.D and P.A. Distributors

mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg

psycho-stimulants

NAMES
Generic

Brand

methylphenidate
methylphenidate
methylphenidate
methylphenidate
methylphenidate
dexmethylphenidate
dextroamphetamine
pemoline
d- and l-amphetamine
modafinil
Note: Adult Doses.

Daily Dosage1

Ritalin
5-50
Concerta2
18-54
Metadate
5-40
Methylin
10-60
Daytrana (patch) 15-30
Focalin
5-40
Dexedrine
5-40
Cylert
37.5-112.5
Adderall
5-40
Provigil, Sparlon 100-400

Sustained release

mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg

antipsychotics

NAMES
Generic

Brand Dosage Range1 Sedation Ortho2
EPS3

low potency
chlorpromazine
thioridazine
clozapine
mesoridazine
quetiapine
high potency
molindone
perphenazine
loxapine
trifluoperazine
fluphenazine
thiothixene
haloperidol
pimozide
risperidone
paliperidone
olanzapine
ziprasidone
aripiprazole

Thorazine
Mellaril
Clozaril
Serentil
Seroquel

50-800
150-800
300-900
50-500
150-400

Moban
Trilafon
Loxitane
Stelazine
Prolixin5
Navane
Haldol5
Orap
Risperdal
Invega
Zyprexa
Geodon
Abilify

mg
mg
mg
mg
mg

high
high
high
high
mid

high
high
high
mid
mid

20-225 mg
8-60 mg
50-250 mg
2-40 mg
3-45 mg
10-60 mg
2-40 mg
1-10 mg
4-16 mg
3-12 mg
5-20 mg
60-160 mg
15-30mg

low
mid
low
low
low
low
low
low
low
low
mid
low
low

mid
mid
mid
mid
mid
mid
low
low
mid
mid
low
mid
low

ACH
Effects4

++
+
0
+
+/0

++++
+++++
+++++
+++++
+

+++
++++
+++
++++
+++++
++++
+++++
+++++
+
+
+/0
+/0
+/0

+++
++
++
++
++
++
+
+
+
+
+
++
+

Equivalence5

100
100
50
50
50

mg
mg
mg
mg
mg

10 mg
10 mg
10 mg
5 mg
2 mg
5 mg
2 mg
1-2 mg
1-2 mg
1-2mg
1-2 mg
10 mg
2 mg

Usual daily oral dosage

Orthostatic Hypotension Dizziness and falls
3
Acute: Parkinsons, dystonias, akathisia. Does not reflect risk for tardive dyskinesia. All neuroleptics may cause tardive dyskinesia, except clozapine.
4
Anticholinergic Side Effects.
5
Dose required to achieve efficacy of 100 mg chlorpromazine.
6
Available in time-release IM format.
1
2

anti-anxiety

NAMES Single Dose

Generic

Brand
Dosage Range

benzodiazepines
diazepam
Valium
2-10
chlordiazepoxide Librium
10-50
prazepam
Centrax
5-30
clorazepate
Tranxene
3.75-15
clonazepam
Klonopin
0.5-2.0
lorazepam
Ativan
0.5-2.0
alprazolam
Xanax, XR
0.25-2.0
oxazepam
Serax
10-30
other antianxiety agents
buspirone
BuSpar
5-20
gabapentin
Neurontin
200-600
hydroxyzine
Atarax, Vistaril 10-50
propranolol
Inderal
10-80
atenolol
Tenormin
25-100
guanfacine
Tenex
0.5-3
clonidine
Catapres
0.1-0.3

Doses required to achieve efficacy of 5 mg of diazepam

Over the counter

Name

Daily Dose

St. Johns Wort

SAM-e3
Omega-34

600-1800 mg
400-1600 mg
1-9 g

1, 2

Treats depression and anxiety

May cause signifigant drug-drug interactions
3
Treats depression
4
Treats depression and bipolar disorder
1
2

mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg

Equivalence1

5
25
10
10
0.25
1
0.5
15

mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg

hypnotics

NAMES
Single Dose
Generic

Brand Dosage Range

flurazepam

temazepam

triazolam

estazolam

quazepam

zolpidem

zaleplon

eszopiclone

ramelteon

diphenhydramine

Dalmane
Restoril
Halcion
ProSom
Doral
Ambien
Sonata
Lunesta
Rozerem
Benadryl

common side effects

anticholinergic effects
(block acetylcholine)
dry mouth
constipation
urinary retention

blurred vision
memory impairment
confusional states

extrapyramidal effects
(dopamine blockade in basal ganglia)

Parkinson-like effects: rigidity, shuffling gait, tremor, flat affect,

lethargy
Dystonias: spasms in neck and other muscle groups
Akathisia: intense, uncomfortable sense of inner restlessness
Tardive dyskinesia: often a persistent movement disorder (lip
smacking, writhing movements, jerky movements)
Note: The above are common side effects. All medications can
produce specific or unique side effects. For a more complete
description, please see references listed below

references and recommended books

Handbook of Clinical
Psychopharmacology For Therapists
(2005) Preston, ONeal and Talaga

15-30 mg
15-30 mg
0.25-0.5 mg
1.0-2.0 mg
7.5-15 mg
5-10 mg
5-10 mg
1-3 mg
4-16 mg
25-100 mg

Quick Reference Free Downloads

Website: www.PsyD-fx.com

Clinical Psychopharmacology Made

Ridiculously Simple 5th Edition
(2007) Preston and Johnson