Psychiatr. praxi. 2011;12(3):124-125
The novel antidepressant agomelatine shows also anxiolytic effects
- 1 Farmakologický ústav Lékařské fakulty, Masarykova univerzita, Brno
- 2 CEITEC (Central European Institute of Technology), Brno
A novel drug in the class of antidepressants agomelatine is unique in its pharmacological mechanisms of action. Initially it was investigated
to treat circadian sleep disturbances due to its agonistic influence on the melatonergic (MT1 and MT2) receptors. Preclinical as
well as clinical studies however demonstrated antidepressive effects of agomelatine what is believed to be associated with its combined
pharmacological action that is a blockage at serotonin 5-HT2C receptors. Stimulation of these receptors is known to induce panic in man
and anxiogenic-like effects in animals, while their blockage elicited anxiolytic action. Furthermore the anxiolytic effect of agomelatine
is not inhibited by co-administration of the selective blocker of melatonergic receptors S-22153. According to results of preclinical and
recent clinical studies agomelatine is considered for suppression of anxious symptoms in depressed patients and for treatment of generalized
anxiety disorder.
Keywords: agomelatine, antidepressant, anxiolytic
Published: July 20, 2011 Show citation
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