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Revision as of 13:02, 3 January 2007

Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (abbreviated: NaSSAs) are a relatively new class of antidepressants. They are thought to act by noradrenergic autoreceptor and heteroreceptor antagonism combined with specific serotonergic antagonism. This results in increases in both noradrenergic and specific serotonergic transmission.

Examples of NaSSAs include:

• Mirtazapine (Remeron®, Zispin®, Avanza®, Norset®, Remergil®)

NaSSAs are said to have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) while being equally effective. In particular, it is said that the sexual dysfunction that is a relatively common side effect of SSRIs occurs significantly less often during treatment with NaSSAs.

See also

• Clinical depression

External links

• J. Fawcett, R. L. Barkin: Review of the results from clinical studies on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of mirtazapine for the treatment of patients with major depression

• An Overview of Psychotropic Drug-Drug Interactions free PDF containing comprehensive charts

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