Pipofezine, sold under the brand name Azafen or Azaphen, is a
tricyclic antidepressant
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of medications that are used primarily as antidepressants. TCAs were discovered in the early 1950s and were marketed later in the decade. They are named after their chemical structure, which contains ...
approved in Russia for the treatment of
depression.
It was introduced in the late 1960s and is still used today.
Pipofezine has been shown to act as a potent
inhibitor
Inhibitor or inhibition may refer to:
Biology
* Enzyme inhibitor, a substance that binds to an enzyme and decreases the enzyme's activity
* Reuptake inhibitor, a substance that increases neurotransmission by blocking the reuptake of a neurotransmi ...
of the
reuptake
Reuptake is the reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by a neurotransmitter transporter located along the plasma membrane of an axon terminal (i.e., the pre-synaptic neuron at a synapse) or glial cell after it has performed its function of transmi ...
of
serotonin
Serotonin (), also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter with a wide range of functions in both the central nervous system (CNS) and also peripheral tissues. It is involved in mood, cognition, reward, learning, ...
.
In addition to its
antidepressant
Antidepressants are a class of medications used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and addiction.
Common side effects of antidepressants include Xerostomia, dry mouth, weight gain, dizziness, headaches, akathi ...
action, pipofezine has
sedative
A sedative or tranquilliser is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or Psychomotor agitation, excitement. They are central nervous system (CNS) Depressant, depressants and interact with brain activity, causing its decelera ...
effects as well, suggesting
antihistamine
Antihistamines are drugs which treat allergic rhinitis, common cold, influenza, and other allergies. Typically, people take antihistamines as an inexpensive, generic (not patented) drug that can be bought without a prescription and provides ...
activity.
Other properties such as
anticholinergic
Anticholinergics (anticholinergic agents) are substances that block the action of the acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter at synapses in the central nervous system, central and peripheral nervous system.
These agents inhibit the parasympatheti ...
or
antiadrenergic
An adrenergic antagonist is a drug that inhibits the function of adrenergic receptors. There are five adrenergic receptors, which are divided into two groups. The first group of receptors are the beta (β) adrenergic receptors. There are Beta-1 ad ...
actions are less clear but are likely.
See also
*
Fluacizine
Fluacizine, sold under the brand name Phtorazisin, is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) of the phenothiazine group which is or was marketed in Russia. Unlike other phenothiazines, fluacizine is not an antipsychotic, and can actually reverse catale ...
*
List of Russian drugs
This page is a list of Russian drugs, or drugs that were developed in Russia, the former Soviet Union, and/or post-Soviet countries.
Many Russian drugs are indicated for enhancing physical, mental, and/or cognitive performance, including drugs ...
References
Drugs in the Soviet Union
4-Methylpiperazin-1-yl compounds
Pyridazines
Russian drugs
Tricyclic antidepressants
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