Pipofezine Explained

Pipofezine, sold under the brand name Azafen or Azaphen, is a tricyclic antidepressant approved in Russia for the treatment of depression.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} It was introduced in the late 1960s and is still used today.^{[5] [6]}

Pipofezine has been shown to act as a potent inhibitor of the reuptake of serotonin.^{[7] [8]} In addition to its antidepressant action, pipofezine has sedative effects as well, suggesting antihistamine activity.^[9] Other properties such as anticholinergic or antiadrenergic actions are less clear but are likely.

See also

• Fluacizine

Notes and References

1. Aleeva GN, Molodavkin GM, Voronina TA . Comparison of antidepressant effects of azafan, tianeptine, and paroxetine . Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine . 148 . 1 . 54–56 . July 2009 . 19902096 . 10.1007/s10517-009-0638-4 . 23923093 .
2. Book: Swiss Pharmaceutical Society . Index Nominum 2000: International Drug Directory (Book with CD-ROM) . Medpharm Scientific Publishers . Boca Raton . 2000 . 843 . 3-88763-075-0 .
3. Book: Muller NF, Dessing RP . European Drug Index, 4th Edition . CRC Press . Boca Raton . 1998 . 126. 3-7692-2114-1 .
4. Book: Macor JE . Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, Volume V44 . Academic Press . 16 . Boston . 2009 . 978-0-12-374766-2 .
5. Mashkovskii MD, Polezhaeva AI, Avrutskii GI, Vertozgadova OP, Smulevich AB . [The pharmacologic properties and therapeutic effectiveness of the new antidepressant preparation Azaphen] . ru . Zhurnal Nevropatologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova . 69 . 8 . 1234–1238 . 1969 . 5392529 .
6. Shinaev NN, Akzhigitov RG . [Azaphen: a return to clinical practice] . ru . Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova . 105 . 10 . 55–56 . 2005 . 16281382 .
7. Avdulov NA, Maĭsov NI . [Atypical antidepressants: effect on synaptosomal uptake of serotonin and GABA] . ru . Biulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii I Meditsiny . 92 . 11 . 564–566 . November 1981 . 7198493 .
8. Valdman AV, Avdulov NA, Rozganets VV, Rusacov DY . Behavioural and neurochemical studies of the action of atypical antidepressants . Acta Physiologica et Pharmacologica Bulgarica . 9 . 3 . 3–10 . 1983 . 6142583 .
9. Book: Macor JE . Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, Volume V44 . Academic Press . Boston . 2009 . 978-0-12-374766-2 .