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 Selective Action On
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
clomipramine Anafranil 150-250 mg high high 0 +++++ 0
trazodone Desyrel, Oleptro 150-400 mg mid none 0 ++++ 0

ÁXR[HWLQH 3UR]DF4, Sarafem

nefazodone Generic Only 100-300 mg mid none 0 +++ 0
20-80 mg low none 0 +++++ 0
bupropion Wellbutrin4 150-400 mg low none ++ 0 ++

SDUR[HWLQH 3D[LO PJ ORZ ORZ   

sertraline Zoloft 50-200 mg low none 0 +++++ +

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GHVYHQODID[LQH 3ULVWLT PJ ORZ QRQH   
75-350 mg low none +++ +++ +

ÁXYR[DPLQH /XYR[ PJ ORZ ORZ   

FLWDORSUDP &HOH[D PJ ORZ QRQH   

mirtazapine Remeron 15-45 mg mid mid +++ +++ 0

HVFLWDORSUDP /H[DSUR PJ ORZ QRQH   

GXOR[HWLQH &\PEDOWD PJ ORZ QRQH   

DWRPR[HWLQH 6WUDWWHUD PJ ORZ ORZ   

vilazodone Viibryd 10-40 mg low low 0 +++++ 0

YRUWLR[HWLQH %ULQWHOOL[ PJ ORZ QRQH   

levomilnacipran Fetzima 40-120 mg low none +++ +++ 0
MAO INHIBITORS

WUDQ\OF\SURPLQH 3DUQDWH PJ ORZ QRQH   

phenelzine Nardil 30-90 mg low none +++ +++ +++

VHOHJLOLQH (PVDPSDWFK PJ ORZ QRQH   

1
ACH: Anticholinergic Side Effects
2
NE: Norepinephrine, 5-HT: Serotonin, DA: Dopamine (0 = no effect, + = minimal effect, +++ = moderate effect, +++++ = high effect)

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3
Uncertain, but likely effects
4

BIPOLAR DISORDER MEDICATIONS

*HQHULF %UDQG 'RVDJH 5DQJH /HYHO
NAMES Daily Serum1
*HQHULF  %UDQG 'RVDJH5DQJH /HYHO
NAMES Daily Serum1

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RODQ]DSLQH ODPRWULJLQH /DPLFWDO  
ÁXR[HWLQH 6\PE\D[ PJ4 R[FDUED]HSLQH7ULOHSWDO  
FDUEDPD]HSLQH 7HJUHWRO(TXHWUR  
2

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Serum monitoring may not necessary 3Not yet established 4$YDLODEOHLQDQGPJIRUPXODWLRQV
1
2

ANTI-OBSESSIONAL PSYCHO-STIMULANTS
NAMES NAMES
Generic Brand Daily Dosage1
Generic Brand Dose Range1
methylphenidate Ritalin 5-50 mg

ÁXR[HWLQH3UR]DF1
clomipramine Anafranil 150-300 mg methylphenidate Concerta2 18-54 mg
20-80 mg
PHWK\OSKHQLGDWH 0HWK\OLQ PJ
methylphenidate Metadate 5-40 mg

SDUR[HWLQH3D[LO1PJ
sertraline Zoloft1 50-200 mg

ÁXYR[DPLQH/XYR[1 PHWK\OSKHQLGDWH 4XLOOLYDQW;5OLTXLG2 PJ

methylphenidate Daytrana (patch) 15-30 mg

FLWDORSUDP&HOH[D1 GH[PHWK\OSKHQLGDWH )RFDOLQ PJ

50-300 mg

HVFLWDORSUDP/H[DSUR1 GH[WURDPSKHWDPLQH 'H[HGULQH PJ

10-40 mg
OLVGH[DPSKHWDPLQH 9\YDQVH PJ
5-30 mg
vilazodone Viibryd1 10-40 mg
PRGDÀQLO
d- and l-amphetamine Adderall 5-40 mg
Provigil, Sparlon 100-400 mg
armodafanil Nuvigil 150-250 mg
1
RIWHQKLJKHUGRVHVDUHUHTXLUHGWRFRQWUROREVHVVLYHFRPSXOVLYH
symptoms than the doses generally used to treat depression. 1
Note: Adult Doses. 2
Sustained release

© Copyright 2014, John Preston, Psy.D and P.A. Distributors

 ANTIPSYCHOTICS

Effects4 (TXLYDOHQFH5
NAMES ACH
Generic Brand Dosage Range1 Sedation Ortho2 EPS3

LOW POTENCY
chlorpromazine Thorazine 50-800 mg high high ++ ++++ 100 mg
thioridazine Mellaril 150-800 mg high high + +++++ 100 mg

TXHWLDSLQH 6HURTXHO PJ PLG PLG   PJ

clozapine Clozaril 300-900 mg high high 0 +++++ 50 mg

SHUSKHQD]LQH 7ULODIRQ PJ PLG PLG   PJ

HIGH POTENCY

OR[DSLQH /R[LWDQH PJ ORZ PLG   PJ

WULÁXRSHUD]LQH 6WHOD]LQH PJ ORZ PLG   PJ
ÁXSKHQD]LQH 3UROL[LQ5
WKLRWKL[HQH 1DYDQH PJ ORZ PLG   PJ
3-45 mg low mid +++++ ++ 2 mg

haloperidol Haldol5 2-40 mg low low +++++ + 2 mg

ULVSHULGRQH 5LVSHUGDO PJ ORZ PLG   PJ

pimozide Orap 1-10 mg low low +++++ + 1-2 mg

RODQ]DSLQH =\SUH[D PJ PLG ORZ   PJ

paliperidone Invega 3-12 mg low mid + + 1-2 mg

]LSUDVLGRQH *HRGRQ PJ ORZ PLG   PJ

iloperidone Fanapt 12-24 mg mid mid + ++ 1-2 mg

OXUDVLGRQH /DWXGD PJ PLG PLG   PJ

asenapine Saphris 10-20 mg low low + + 1-2 mg

aripiprazole Abilify 15-30mg low low + + 2 mg

1
Usual daily oral dosage
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2
Orthostatic Hypotension Dizziness and falls
3

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4
Anticholinergic Side Effects.
5

Available in time-release IM format.

ANTI-ANXIETY HYPNOTICS
NAMES Single Dose
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NAMES Single Dose
Generic Brand Dosage Range

BENZODIAZEPINES temazepam Restoril 15-30 mg

FKORUGLD]HSR[LGH /LEULXP PJ PJ

diazepam Valium 2-10 mg 5 mg triazolam Halcion 0.25-0.5 mg

FORUD]HSDWH 7UDQ[HQH PJ PJ

zolpidem Ambien 5-10 mg
zolpidem Intermezzo 1.75 mg

HV]RSLFORQH /XQHVWDPJ
clonazepam Klonopin 0.5-2.0 mg 0.25 mg zaleplon Sonata 5-10 mg

DOSUD]RODP ;DQD[;5 PJ PJ UDPHOWHRQ 5R]HUHPPJ

lorazepam Ativan 0.5-2.0 mg 1 mg

GR[HSLQ 6LOHQRUPJ
OTHER ANTIANXIETY AGENTS diphenhydramine Benadryl 25-100 mg

JDEDSHQWLQ 1HXURQWLQ PJ

buspirone BuSpar 5-20 mg

K\GUR[\]LQH $WDUD[9LVWDULO PJ OVER THE COUNTER

Name Daily Dose

St. John’s Wort   PJ

propranolol Inderal 10-80 mg

JXDQIDFLQH 7HQH[,QWXQLYPJ SAM-e3  PJ

1, 2
atenolol Tenormin 25-100 mg

clonidine Catapres, Kapvay 0.1-0.3 mg Omega-34-EPA 1-2 g

Folic acid8 500 mcg
prazosin2
SUHJDEDOLQ /\ULFD PJ
Minipress 5-20 mg N-acetylcysteine5 1200-2400 mg
Chamomile
5-HTP7  PJ
200-1500 mg
1
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0D\FDXVHVLJQLÀFDQWGUXJGUXJLQWHUDFWLRQV 7UHDWVDQ[LHW\HTXLYDOHQW
5
For trichotillomania

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2

3
1 Treats depression
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one cup of chamomile tea
4
2 Treats depression and bipolar disorder 7
Treats depression
8
Note: available as Deplin 1-methylfolate (presctiption) 7.5-15 mg

REFERENCES and RECOMMENDED BOOKS

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Quick Reference • Free Downloads

Handbook of Clinical Clinical Psychopharmacology Made <hglnf^kl@nb]^mhIlr\abZmkb\=kn`l Child and Adolescent

Psychopharmacology For Therapists Ridiculously Simple 8th Edition (2009) Preston, O’Neal, Talaga Psychopharmacology
(2013) Preston, O’Neal and Talaga (2014) Preston and Johnson Made Simple
(2010) Preston, O’Neal, Talaga