serotonin modulators

Q: Trazodone is an atypical antidepressant?

A) True

B) False

Answer: B

The objective of this question is to bring to light a district group of centrally acting drugs called serotonin modulators. Drugs in this group are distinct from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). 

Serotonin modulators act as antagonists as well as agonists at postsynaptic serotonin receptors. By this dual effect, they inhibit reuptake of postsynaptic serotonin, with minimal effect upon norepinephrine reuptake.

Drugs in this group includes: Trazodone, Nefazodone, Vilazodone, and Vortioxetine. 

#pharmacology

#psychiatry

References:

1. Mishra A, Sarangi SC, Maiti R, Sood M, Reeta KH. Efficacy and Safety of Adjunctive Serotonin-Dopamine Activity Modulators in Major Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Jun;62(6):721-732. doi: 10.1002/jcph.2022. Epub 2022 Feb 8. PMID: 34967946.

2. Morrissette DA, Stahl SM. Modulating the serotonin system in the treatment of major depressive disorder. CNS Spectr. 2014 Dec;19 Suppl 1:57-67; quiz 54-7, 68. doi: 10.1017/S1092852914000613. Erratum in: CNS Spectr. 2015 Aug;20(4):452-3. PMID: 25544378.