Posted by Nadezda on September 7, 2009, at 14:58:12
In reply to Agomelatine questions, posted by Cecilia on September 6, 2009, at 22:48:39
Wikipedia says:
"Agomelatine (trade names Valdoxan, Melitor, Thymanax) is an antidepressant developed by the pharmaceutical company Servier. It is known as a norepinephrine dopamine disinhibitor (NDDI) because of its 5HT2C antagonistic properties of inhibiting 5HT, thereby disinhibiting DA and NE release by enhancing the activity of frontocortical dopaminergic and adrenergic pathways.[1][2] Agomelatine is also a potent agonist at melatonin receptors which makes it the first melatonergic antidepressant.[2][3] Because of its unique profile, agomelatine has not been associated with weight gain, sexual side effects, or withdrawal syndrome; this is in contrast to most SSRIs and many antidepressants.[4][5]...
....[6] Agomelatine showed benefits over sertraline and paroxetine due to the lack of sexual side effects and discontinuation side effects. Because of its action upon the melatonin receptors, agomelatine also showed a marked improvement in sleep quality. There were no associated instances of daytime drowsiness.[5] Agomelatine has also demonstrated anxiolytic properties and thus may prove efficacious in the treatment of anxiety disorders.[7]"
another website announcing the European authorization of agomelatine sale says:
"Valdoxan is the result of an extensive pharmacological research programme involving investigation centres all around the world (including the UK), and represents a different approach to the treatment of depression that goes a step beyond the monoamine hypothesis. Valdoxan is an MT1 & MT2 melatonergic receptor agonist with 5-HT2C receptor antagonist properties.9,10 As a result of this novel mode of action, Valdoxan has demonstrated antidepressant efficacy through circadian rhythm resynchronisation and the increase of dopamine and noradrenaline levels.11 This mechanism of action is unlike those of commonly prescribed antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), since Valdoxan has no impact on serotonin levels.1
At the moment I don't have enough to time analyze what this means, but I had heard that it's uses a novel mechanism. Although (not that I want to be skeptical), one always hears that.
Nadezda
poster:Nadezda
thread:915951
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090902/msgs/916009.html