[Antidepressives of the 3rd, 4th and 5th generation]

Antidepressants are classified into five generations. Preparations of the first generation affect various neurotransmitter systems and are therefore associated with many undesirable effects (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, maprotiline). The second generation of antidepressants is already devoid of anticholinergic action and their adrenolytic and antihistaminic effects are weaker (e.g. mianserine, mirtazapine, trazodone). The antidepressant action of preparations of the third generation is mediated only by one of the three main neurotransmitter systems for depression (5-HT, noradrenaline, dopamine) and does not affect muscarine, histamine and adrenergic cerebral systems (e.g. SSRI, ipsapirone, viloxazine, reboxetine, bupropione). Recently antidepressants of the fourth generation were synthetized which influence only the serotonin, and noradrenaline or dopamine system (e.g. milnacipran, befloxatone). The fifth generation of antidepressants foresees the exclusive action on 5-HT, noradrenaline and dopamine systems of the CNS in varying ratios (e.g. venlafaxine, cericlamine).