Search

There are described practical aspects of antidepressant treatment and switch of antidepressant medication in this article. We introduce several types (strategies) of antidepressant switch. We recomend the initiation of agomelatine treatment with long-tapering of the previous medication to decrease the risk of withdrawal syndrome onset. The agomelatine treatment and combination with other antidepressants is effective and well tolerated. The dose increase of agomelatine from 25 mg to 50 mg is recomended in patients who do not respond. This article contains several case-reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agomelatine, a MT1 (Melatonin) and MT2 receptor agonist and 5-HT2C (5-Hidroksitriptamin) antagonist, is an antidepressant agent used in the treatment of major depressive disorders. Intraocular pressure lowering effect of melatonin and its analogues have been demonstrated in a few experimental studies. In the present case report, we have documented the reversal of angle closure glaucoma by oral agomelatine in a patient with major depressive disorder under selective serotonine reuptake inhibitor treatment. The patient, who had previously been diagnosed with glaucoma, was also receiving antiglaucomatous treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to study the effects of agomelatine, an antidepressant, on the nociceptive system. Methods: Twenty four male Swiss albino mice (four months old and 28.8±1.18 g average weight) were randomly divided into three groups, which were equal in numbers; Group A and B were the experimental groups and group C was the control group. Group A was given 12.5 mg/kg of agomelatine, Group B was given 25 mg/kg agomelatine and Group C was given physiological saline via intraperitoneal injection. To evaluate the nociceptive effects, by using the hot plate method (50°C), pain threshold values of the control and agomelatine groups were recorded as the 30th and 60th minute findings. Results: According to the pain threshold results, the datafor the two agomelatine groups were found to be higher than control group at both time points. In 30th minute measurements, between Group B and the other groups, significant differences were observed (p=0.007). In addition, significance in the interaction between time and group was observed (p=0.036). Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that agomelatine might have analgesic efficacy on the nociceptive system in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article literature related to the promises of agomelatine, an antidepressant with melatonergic MT-1 and MT- 2 receptor agonism and seratoninergic 5-HT2c receptor antagonism in the context of depression treatment is reviewed. Although the results of studies on the efficacy of agomelatine are contrary, it can be stressed that the efficacy of agomelatine should be at least similar to widely used antidepressants. Furthermore the favorable effect of agomelatine on sleep and the early onset of efficacy should contribute to the outcome of therapy. The favorable effect of agomelatine on the circadian rhythm which has influence on substantial biological systems like sleepwake cycle, endocrine hormone secretion and body temperature appears to be interesting. Somnolence should be noted as a more frequent adverse event of agomelatine than other antidepressants. Furthermore the absence of weight gain and sexual adverse events should influence the adherence to therapy. Liver enzyme elevations can emerge during agomelatine therapy. Abrupt discontinuation of agomelatine does not appear to bring about evident discontinuation symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]