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Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant

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Noradrenergic and specific (selective) serotonergic antidepressants (abbreviated: NaSSAs) are a relatively new class of antidepressants. They are thought to work by blocking presynaptic alpha-2 adrenergic receptors that normally inhibit the release of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and serotonin. This results in increases in both noradrenergic and specific serotonergic transmission.

Examples of NaSSAs include:

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

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 Mirtazapine.

See also

References

  1. Kent J (2000). "SNaRIs, NaSSAs, and NaRIs: new agents for the treatment of depression". Lancet. 355 (9207): 911–8. PMID 10752718.
  2. Fawcett J, Barkin R (1998). "Review of the results from clinical studies on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of mirtazapine for the treatment of patients with major depression". J Affect Disord. 51 (3): 267–85. PMID 10333982. link


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Antidepressants (N06A)
Specific reuptake inhibitors and/or receptor modulators
SSRIsTooltip Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
SNRIsTooltip Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
NRIsTooltip Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
NDRIsTooltip Norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors
NaSSAsTooltip Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants
SARIsTooltip Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors
SMSTooltip Serotonin modulator and stimulators
Others
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants
TCAsTooltip Tricyclic antidepressants
TeCAsTooltip Tetracyclic antidepressants
Others
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Non-selective
MAOATooltip Monoamine oxidase A-selective
MAOBTooltip Monoamine oxidase B-selective
Adjunctive therapies
Miscellaneous
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