Indications
Agorest is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults. It is particularly suited to patients who have not responded to, or cannot tolerate, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is also used to prevent relapse of depression.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Agomelatine works on melatonin and serotonin receptors in the brain. It acts as an agonist at the MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors and as an antagonist at the 5-HT2C serotonin receptor. Binding studies show that agomelatine does not affect monoamine uptake. It also has no affinity for alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta 3 adrenergic receptors, histaminergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic or benzodiazepine receptors.
In animal models of circadian rhythm disruption, agomelatine resynchronises the body clock. Its effect on the brain's chemistry is quite specific. It increases the release of noradrenaline and dopamine in the frontal cortex, but it has no influence on the extracellular levels of serotonin.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Use in pregnancy: There's no clinical data yet on how agomelatine affects pregnant women, since human exposure hasn't been formally studied. Animal studies, however, haven't shown any direct or indirect harm to pregnancy, foetal or embryonal development, delivery, or development after birth. Even so, agomelatine should be prescribed to pregnant women only with caution.
Use in lactation: Whether agomelatine passes into human breast milk isn't known, though it and its breakdown products have been found in the milk of nursing rats. Because its effects on a breastfeeding baby haven't been established, breastfeeding should be stopped if treatment with agomelatine is judged necessary.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.