Etoperidone


Etoperidone, associated with several brand names, is an atypical antidepressant which was developed in the 1970s and either is no longer marketed or was never marketed. It is a phenylpiperazine related to trazodone and nefazodone in chemical structure and is a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor similarly to them.

Medical uses

Etoperidone was used or was intended for use as an antidepressant in the treatment of depression.

Side effects

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Etoperidone is as an antagonist of several receptors in the following order of potency: 5-HT2A receptor > α1-adrenergic receptor > 5-HT1A receptor > α2-adrenergic receptor ; it has only very weak or negligible affinity for blocking the following receptors: D2 receptor > H1 receptor > mACh receptors. In addition to its receptor blockade, etoperidone also has weak affinity for the monoamine transporters as well: serotonin transporter > norepinephrine transporter > dopamine transporter.

Pharmacokinetics

Etoperidone is metabolized in part to meta-chlorophenylpiperazine, which likely accounts for its serotonergic effects.

Chemistry

Etoperidone is a phenylpiperazine and is chemically related to nefazodone and trazodone.

History

Etoperidone was discovered by scientists at Angelini, who also discovered trazodone. Its development names have included ST-1191 and McN-A-2673-11. The etoperidone was proposed in 1976 and recommended in 1977. The drug was given brand names in Spain and Depraser ) and Italy and was also given the brand names Axiomin and Etonin, but it is not entirely clear if it was actually marketed; the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Encyclopedia provides no dates for commercial introduction. According to Micromedex's Index Nominum: International Drug Directory, etoperidone was indeed previously marketed in Spain and Italy.

Society and culture

Generic names

Etoperidone is the generic name of the drug and its, while etoperidone hydrochloride is its.

Brand names

Etoperidone has been associated with the brand names Axiomin, Centren, Depraser, Etonin, and Staff.

Research

Etoperidone has been studied in dementia and found to be about as effective as thioridazine.