title: Optimal dose regimen for paroxetine.
abstract: The dose regimen for paroxetine in the treatment of depression has been well established through a number of individual dosing studies and analyses from the worldwide clinical data base. The starting dose, which is also the minimal effective dose, is 20 mg/day. For most patients, 20 mg/day will also be the optimal dose. For patients who do not show an adequate therapeutic response within 1 to 3 weeks of initiating therapy, the dose of paroxetine should be increased in 10-mg increments no more often than at weekly intervals to a maximum of 50 mg/day. Medication should be given as a single daily dose, usually in the morning. The therapeutic dose range in the elderly is 20 mg to 40 mg of paroxetine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle 98105.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dunner
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Dunbar
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D017374:Paroxetine; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D017374:Paroxetine