Agomelatine

Agomelatine (Valdoxan®) is chemical compound that is structurally closely related to melatonin. Agomelatine is a potent agonist at melatonin receptors and an antagonist at serotonin-2C (5-HT2C) receptors, tested in an animal model of depression (forced swimming test in rodents). It is concluded that the antidepressant-like activity in this model most probably involves a combination of both its melatonin agonist and 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist properties.

Controled studies with humans have shown that agomelatine is comparible to paroxetine in treatment of major depression. Agomelatine showed significant benefits over paroxetine due to the complete absence of side effects including the associated sexual side effects that are troublesome with some antidepressants. Because of its actions upon the melatonin receptors, agomelatine shows an marked improvement in sleep quality. However unlike other antidepressants with seditive effects there were no associated instances of daytime drowsiness.

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