Melatonin receptor agonist agomelatine: a new drug for treating unipolar depression

Agomelatine markedly differs from other classes of antidepressant drugs: its primary molecular targets in vivo are the melatonin MT(1) and MT(2) receptors, where it acts as a potent agonist, and the 5-HT(2C) receptors, where it exerts clear-cut antagonist properties. Agomelatine across a wide range of clinical trials suggests that agomelatine offers an important alternative for the treatment of depression, combining efficacy, even in the most severely depressed patients, with a favorable side-effect profile. It will be of interest to see if agomelatine expands the spectrum of treatment for unipolar depression. It shows efficacy in acute phase and in of maintenance treatment compared to reference antidepressants as paroxetine and venlafaxine.