FOCUS ON NEFAZODONE - A SEROTONERGIC DRUG FOR MAJOR DEPRESSION

Nefazodone, a postsynaptic 5HT(2A) receptor antagonist, received. FDA approval for treatment of major depression in December 1994. Clinical trials show nefazodone to possess similar onset and efficacy to imipra mine in treating major depression. Although nefazodone is similar in s tructure and pharmacology to trazodone HCl, it is associated with less sedation, a lower risk of orthostatic hypotension, and thus far, no r eported cases of priapism, The effective dosage range of nefazodone re ported in controlled clinical trials is 300 to 600 mg/day given on a b id schedule. Nefazodone appears to be an effective treatment option fo r patients with major depression. The drug lacks the significant cardi ovascular side effects seen with tricyclic antidepressants and the res tlessness and, insomnia often associated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.