Recommended dose range / Starting dose
Escitalopram 5-20 mg / 10mg
Fluoxetine 20-80 mg / 20mg
Sertraline 25-200 mg / 50mg
Paroxetine 10-40 mg / 20mg
Citalopram 10-40 mg / 20mg
** For patients with panic d/o, PTSD or any panic related d/o, the starting dose should be halved. Or the lowest dose should be used.
** For elderly patients, start with the lowest dose and go up gradually.
** Some of the side effects of SSRIs are similar to the symptoms of depression. The patient may blame the symptoms on the med when they were already there before the med. Make sure they are new symptoms.
SSRI’s are Effective For Sadness, Panic, & Compulsions