At least 40% patients treated with adequate doses of standard antidepressant medications fail to respond. That means four out of ten depressed patients are inadequately treated. Here are some suggestions for augmenting the effects of antidepressants.
| BRAND NAME (GENERIC NAME) | HOW THE DRUG WORKS | APPROVED OR SPECIAL USES | DAILY DOSE |
| Provigil (Modafinil) | Enhances activity in the hypothalamic wakefulness center | Narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, sleep apnea, fatigue, ADD | 200 mg once daily or 200 mg twice daily |
| Eskalith CR (lithium) | May alter second messenger systems | Bipolar depression, mania | 450 mg twice daily |
| Trilafon (perphenazine) | Blocks dopamine D2 receptors | Used in combination with amitriptyline and sold under the trade name Triavil. Especially useful in patients with multiple physical complaints | Triavil 2/10 or 2/25 one to six tablets |
| Risperdal (risperidone) | Alpha 2 antagonist properties may contribute to antidepressant actions. | Schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorders, impulse control disorders | 0.5 mg-6 mg |
| Lamictal (lamotrigene) | Blocks sodium channels, inhibits release of glutamate | First line treatment option for bipolar depression | 25 mg-400 mg |
| Adderall | Enhances dopamine actions | Attention deficit disorder | 20-60 mg |
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