title: Venlafaxine and nefazodone, two pharmacologically distinct antidepressants.
abstract: Venlafaxine, a phenylethylamine, and nefazodone, a phenylpiperazine compound, are the newest antidepressants to receive approval of the Food and Drug Administration and to be marketed in the United States. Both strongly inhibit serotonin (5-HT) reuptake; venlafaxine also inhibits norepinephrine reuptake, and nefazodone also exhibits 5-HT2-receptor antagonism. Venlafaxine inhibits the cytochrome P-450 2D6 isozyme to a lesser extent than the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is 27% protein bound. Structurally, the drugs are unrelated to SSRIs and have some clinically important differences in side effect profiles. Nausea, headache, somnolence, and dry mouth are the most frequently reported side effects with both. Sustained hypertension was reported by a limited number of venlafaxine-treated patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Augustin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cold
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Jann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D010879:Piperazines; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D014230:Triazoles; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; C051752:nefazodone