Amineptine

General information

Amineptine is a tricyclic antidepressant that selectively reduces the dopamine reuptake without affecting the uptake of noradrenaline or serotonin (5-HT) [ ]. In vivo, it increases striatal homovanillic acid concentrations without affecting the concentrations of other metabolites of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 3-methoxytyramine. However, high doses of amineptine reduced the extracellular DOPAC concentration in the nucleus accumbens but not in the striatum. Long-term treatment with amineptine causes down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors.

Amineptine has a seven-membered carbon side-chain and is reported to have more stimulant and fewer sedative effects than other tricyclic compounds, possibly owing to differential actions on dopaminergic rather than serotonergic mechanisms. Amineptine appears to have an unusual propensity for causing hepatocellular damage, which may limit its clinical use [ ].

Amineptine increases the release and reduces the re-uptakeof dopamine, and it is therefore not surprising that an amphetamine-like drug dependence has been reported [ ]. A withdrawal syndrome occurs and can be improved by clonidine [ ].

Organs and systems