Pharmacologic characteristics of ideal antidepressants in the 21st century.
The availability of drugs for use as antidepressants has expanded greatly in the past 2 decades. Not only has the number of drugs increased but so has the diversity in associated pharmacologic effects. Drug development for central nervous system agents is proceeding at an accelerated pace. The coming decades hold the promise for the introduction of newer antidepressants that have novel mechanisms of action, improved adverse event profiles, and expanded indications. Unfortunately, the ideal antidepressant is yet to be formulated. Pharmacologic characteristics for desirable improvements are discussed relative to the currently available drugs.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. devanel@musc.edu
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D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors