New substance softens side effects of powerful antidepressants

Modern antidepressants are a vital tool used by a huge

number of people around the world.However, when a person suddenly stops taking antidepressants, withdrawal syndrome may occur, and some patients may experience side effects while taking the medication in the form of slight weight gain, drowsiness, and high blood pressure.

Scientists from the University of Copenhagen discovereda new substance called Lu AF60097 that can be added to antidepressants. With it, you can reduce the required dose of medication, as well as mitigate side effects.

The antidepressants we use todaythey work by contacting the same site as serotonin - on the so-called serotonin transporter (SERT). Antidepressants block the reverse transport of serotonin and, therefore, the removal of active serotonin. But such a blockage requires a relatively large dose of an antidepressant. The new drug works as an antidepressant, while not being one.

Klaus Juul Leland     

Using the substance Lu AF60097, the formula of which isThey have not yet disclosed that the action of the antidepressant can also be enhanced. The team has already conducted experiments on mice and rats, and in the near future scientists will begin testing the drug on primates.