[Agomelatine in the treatment of major depressive disorder: assessment of the efficacy and tolerability].
Agomelatine is an antidepressant agent with an innovative unique pharmacodynamic profile, including melatonergic receptor agonism (MT1 / MT2) and antagonistic effects on serotonergic 5-HT2C receptors. According to the results of meta-analyzes of clinical studies of the acute phase of a major depressive disorder, the antidepressant effect of agomelatine itself is significantly higher than that of placebo, but somewhat inferior to a number of other antidepressants (especially SSRIs and venlafaxine). To date, there is some uncertainty regarding the efficacy of agomelatine for the prevention of recurrence of MDD and its hepatotoxicity profile. In this regard, agomelatine is not considered as a drug of first choice in treatment of MDD. However, the heterogeneous clinical manifestations of MDD and the unique mechanism of action of agomelatine with the ability of the drug to have a modulating effect on sleep, make it possible to effective use it for treating such disorders. In addition, agomelatine has a more favorable safety profile, which allows considering it as a drug of choice in patients who have contraindications to other antidepressants or in the absence of therapeutic response to another antidepressant therapy.