Version July 2025
| Usual starting dose, mg | Low starting dose, mg | Therapeutic dose (daily), mg | |
| Paroxetine | 20 | 5 to 10 | 20 to 60 |
| Sertraline | 50 | 12.5 to 25 | 50 to 250 |
| Fluvoxamine | 50 | 25 | 100 to 300* |
| Fluoxetine | 20 | 5 to 10 | 20 to 60 |
| Citalopram | 20 | 10 | 20 to 40¶ |
| Escitalopram | 10 | 10 | 20 to 40 |
| Venlafaxine (extended-release) | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 to 300 |
SNRI: serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; SSRI: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
* If an immediate release preparation of fluvoxamine is used, dose shown in table should be given in two divided doses.
¶ Maximum recommended dose of citalopram is 20 mg for patients >60 years of age, with significant hepatic insufficiency, or taking interacting medications that can increase citalopram levels. Refer to UpToDate topic on pharmacology, administration, and side effects of unipolar depression in adults and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Specific interactions of citalopram with other medications may be determined using the drug interactions program included in UpToDate. This tool can be accessed from the UpToDate online search page or through the individual drug information topics in the section on Drug interactions.