Issues in Selection of an Antidepressant

Table of Contents

1. Objectives
2. Indications
3. Antidepressant Classes
4. "Newer" Antidepressant Classes
5. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
6. Pharmacokinetics
7. Extra Receptor Effects
8. SSRIs in Summary
9. "New" Miscellaneous Antidepressants
   1. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
   2. Nefazadone
10. Dual Agents
11. Special Circumstances
12. A Final Note
13. Review Questions
14. Your Feedback

"New" Miscellaneous Antidepressants

Let us now turn to the remainder of the so called "newer" antidepressants, represented in the table below:

Generic	Brand Name	Class (abbreviation)	Class	Starting Dose	Usual Dose
bupropion	Wellbutrin	NDRI	Norepinephrine Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor	50-100 mg.	150-300 mg.
venlafaxine	Effexor	SNRI	Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor	37.5-75 mg	75-225 mg.
desvenlafaxine	Pristiq	SNRI	Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor	50 mg	50-100 mg
nefazodone		SARI	Serotonin-2A-Antagonist/ Reuptake Inhibitor	50-100 mg.	150-400 mg.
mirtazapine	Remeron	NaSSA	Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant	15-30 mg.	30-60 mg.
duloxetine	Cymbalta	SNRI	Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor	40-60 mg.	40-60mg.

All are available in generic except desvenlafaxine and duloxetine, represented by the dollar signs.