quick reference to psychotropic medications® 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 manufacturer’s product information sheet or the P.D.R. for any changes in dosage schedule or contraindications. (Brand names are registered trademarks.)

antidepressantS
Usual elective Action On
S
NAMES Daily Dosage Neurotransmitters2
Generic Brand Range Sedation ACH1 NE 5-HT DA
imipramine Tofranil 150-300 mg mid mid ++ +++ 0
desipramine Norpramin 150-300 mg low low +++++ 0 0
amitriptyline Elavil 150-300 mg high high ++ ++++ 0
nortriptyline Aventyl, Pamelor 75-125 mg mid mid +++ ++ 0
protriptyline Vivactil 15-40 mg mid mid ++++ + 0
trimipramine Surmontil3 100-300 mg high mid ++ ++ 0
doxepin Sinequan, Adapin3 150-300 mg high mid ++ +++ 0
clomipramine Anafranil 150-250 mg high high 0 +++++ 0
maprotiline Ludiomil 150-225 mg high mid +++++ 0 0
amoxapine Asendin 150-400 mg mid low +++ ++ 0
trazodone Desyrel 150-400 mg mid none 0 ++++ 0
nefazodone Generic Only 100-300 mg mid none 0 +++ 0
fluoxetine Prozac4, Sarafem 20-80 mg low none 0 +++++ 0
bupropion-X.L. Wellbutrin-X.L.4 150-400 mg low none ++ 0 ++
sertraline Zoloft 50-200 mg low none 0 +++++ +
paroxetine Paxil 20-50 mg low low + +++++ 0
venlafaxine-X.R. Effexor-X.R.4 75-350 mg low none ++ +++ +
desvenlafaxine Pristiq 50-400 mg low none ++ +++ +
fluvoxamine Luvox 50-300 mg low low 0 +++++ 0
mirtazapine Remeron 15-45 mg mid mid +++ +++ 0
citalopram Celexa 10-60 mg low none 0 +++++ 0
escitalopram Lexapro 5-20 mg low none 0 +++++ 0
duloxetine Cymbalta 20-80 mg low none ++++ ++++ 0
atomoxetine Strattera 60-120 mg low low +++++ 0 0
mao inhibitors
phenelzine Nardil 30-90 mg low none +++ +++ +++
tranylcypromine Parnate 20-60 mg low none +++ +++ +++
selegiline Emsam (patch) 6-12 mg low none +++ +++ +++
1
ACH: Anticholinergic Side Effects
2
NE: Norepinephrine, 5-HT: Serotonin, DA: Dopamine (0 = no effect, + = minimal effect, +++ = moderate effect, +++++ = high effect)
3
Uncertain, but likely effects
4
Available in standard formulation and time release (XR, XL or CR). Prozac available in 90mg time released/weekly formulation

BIPOLAR DISORDER MEDICATIONS

NAMES Daily Serum1 NAMES
Daily Serum1
Generic Brand Dosage Range Level Generic Brand Dosage Range Level

lithium carbonate Eskalith, Lithonate 600-2400 0.6-1.5 divalproex Depakote 750-1500 50-100
olanzapine/ lamotrigine Lamictal 50-500 (2)
fluoxetine Symbyax 6/25-12/50mg4 2 topiramate Topamax 50-300 (3)
carbamazepine Tegretol,Equetro 600-1600 4-10+ tiagabine Gabitril 4-12 (3)
oxcarbazepine Trileptal 1200-2400 (2)
1
Lithium levels are expressed in mEq/l, carbamazepine and valproic acid levels express in mcg/ml.
2
Serum monitoring may not necessary 3Not yet established 4Available in: 6/25, 6/50, 12/25, and 12/50mg formulations

anti-obsessional psycho-stimulants
NAMES NAMES
Generic Brand Daily Dosage1
Generic Brand Dose Range1
methylphenidate Ritalin 5-50 mg
clomipramine Anafranil 150-300 mg methylphenidate Concerta2 18-54 mg
fluoxetine Prozac1 20-80 mg methylphenidate Metadate 5-40 mg
sertraline Zoloft1 50-200 mg methylphenidate Methylin 10-60 mg
methylphenidate Daytrana (patch) 15-30 mg
paroxetine Paxil1 20-60 mg dexmethylphenidate Focalin 5-40 mg
fluvoxamine Luvox1 50-300 mg dextroamphetamine Dexedrine 5-40 mg
citalopram Celexa1 10-60 mg lisdexamphetamine Vyvanse 30-70 mg
escitalopram Lexapro1 5-30 mg pemoline Cylert 37.5-112.5 mg
d- and l-amphetamine Adderall 5-40 mg
1often higher doses are required to control obsessive-compulsive modafinil Provigil, Sparlon 100-400 mg
symptoms than the doses generally used to treat depression. 1
Note: Adult Doses. 2Sustained release
© Copyright 2010, John Preston, Psy.D and P.A. Distributors
 antipsychotics
NAMES ACH
Generic Brand Dosage Range1 Sedation Ortho2 EPS3 Effects4 Equivalence5
low potency
chlorpromazine Thorazine 50-800 mg high high ++ ++++ 100 mg
thioridazine Mellaril 150-800 mg high high + +++++ 100 mg
clozapine Clozaril 300-900 mg high high 0 +++++ 50 mg
mesoridazine Serentil 50-500 mg high mid + +++++ 50 mg
quetiapine Seroquel 150-600 mg mid mid +/0 + 50 mg
high potency
molindone Moban 20-225 mg low mid +++ +++ 10 mg
perphenazine Trilafon 8-60 mg mid mid ++++ ++ 10 mg
loxapine Loxitane 50-250 mg low mid +++ ++ 10 mg
trifluoperazine Stelazine 2-40 mg low mid ++++ ++ 5 mg
fluphenazine Prolixin5 3-45 mg low mid +++++ ++ 2 mg
thiothixene Navane 10-60 mg low mid ++++ ++ 5 mg
haloperidol Haldol5 2-40 mg low low +++++ + 2 mg
pimozide Orap 1-10 mg low low +++++ + 1-2 mg
risperidone Risperdal 4-16 mg low mid + + 1-2 mg
paliperidone Invega 3-12 mg low mid + + 1-2mg
olanzapine Zyprexa 5-20 mg mid low +/0 + 1-2 mg
ziprasidone Geodon 60-160 mg low mid +/0 ++ 10 mg
iloperidone Fanapt 12-24 mg mid mid + ++ 1-2mg
asenapine Saphris 10-20 mg low low + + 1-2mg
aripiprazole Abilify 15-30mg low low +/0 + 2 mg
1
Usual daily oral dosage
2
Orthostatic Hypotension Dizziness and falls
3
Acute: Parkinson’s, 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.

anti-anxiety hypnotics
NAMES Single Dose NAMES Single Dose
Generic Brand Dosage Range Equivalence1 Generic Brand Dosage Range
benzodiazepines flurazepam Dalmane 15-30 mg
diazepam Valium 2-10 mg 5 mg temazepam Restoril 15-30 mg
chlordiazepoxide Librium 10-50 mg 25 mg triazolam Halcion 0.25-0.5 mg
prazepam Centrax 5-30 mg 10 mg estazolam ProSom 1.0-2.0 mg
clorazepate Tranxene 3.75-15 mg 10 mg quazepam Doral 7.5-15 mg
clonazepam Klonopin 0.5-2.0 mg 0.25 mg zolpidem Ambien 5-10 mg
lorazepam Ativan 0.5-2.0 mg 1 mg zaleplon Sonata 5-10 mg
alprazolam Xanax, XR 0.25-2.0 mg 0.5 mg eszopiclone Lunesta 1-3 mg
oxazepam Serax 10-30 mg 15 mg ramelteon Rozerem 4-16 mg
diphenhydramine Benadryl 25-100 mg
other antianxiety agents
buspirone BuSpar 5-20 mg
gabapentin Neurontin 200-600 mg Over the counter
hydroxyzine Atarax, Vistaril 10-50 mg Name Daily Dose
propranolol Inderal 10-80 mg St. John’s Wort 1, 2
600-1800 mg
atenolol Tenormin 25-100 mg SAM-e3 400-1600 mg
guanfacine Tenex 0.5-3 mg Omega-34 1-9 g
clonidine Catapres 0.1-0.3 mg 1
Treats depression and anxiety
prazosin Minipress 5-20 mg 2
May cause signifigant drug-drug interactions
3
Treats depression
1
Doses required to achieve efficacy of 5 mg of diazepam 4
Treats depression and bipolar disorder

references and recommended books

Quick Reference • Free Downloads
Website: www.PsyD-fx.com
Handbook of Clinical Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Consumer’s Guide to Psychiatric Drugs Child and Adolescent
Psychopharmacology For Therapists Ridiculously Simple 6th Edition (2009) Preston, O’Neal, Talaga Psychopharmacology
(2010) Preston, O’Neal and Talaga (2010) Preston and Johnson Made Simple
(2010) Preston, O’Neal, Talaga