Opipramol

Opipramol
Opipramol
Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-[3-(5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin- 5-yl)propyl]-1-piperazinethanol
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com International Drug Names
Pregnancy cat.  ?
Legal status Prescription only
Routes Oral
Identifiers
CAS number 315-72-0 YesY
ATC code N06AA05
PubChem CID 9417
ChemSpider 9046 YesY
UNII D23ZXO613C N
KEGG D08297 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL370753 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C23H29N3O 
Mol. mass 363.496 g/mol
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
 N(what is this?)  (verify)

Opipramol (Insidon, Pramolan, Ensidon, Oprimol) is an antidepressant and anxiolytic used in Germany and other European countries.[1][2] Although it is a member of the tricyclic antidepressants, opipramol's primary mechanism of action is much different in comparison.[2] Most TCAs act as reuptake inhibitors, but opipramol does not, and instead acts as a sigma receptor agonist, among having other properties.[2]

Contents

Indications

Opipramol is typically used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).[1] Its anxiolysis becomes prominent after only 1-2 weeks of chronic administration. Upon first commencing treatment, opipramol is rather sedating in nature due to its antihistamine properties, but this effect becomes less prominent with time.

Pharmacology

Opipramol acts as a high affinity sigma receptor agonist, primarily at the σ1 subtype, but also at the σ2 subtype with somewhat lower affinity.[1] It is this property which is responsible for its therapeutic benefits against anxiety and depression.[2] Opipramol also acts as a low to moderate affinity antagonist for the D2, 5-HT2, H1, H2, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. H1 and H2 receptor antagonism account for its antihistamine effects, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonism is responsible for its anticholinergic properties.[1]

Contraindications

Opipramol should not be taken with alcohol, or in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or glaucoma.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Möller HJ, Volz HP, Reimann IW, Stoll KD (February 2001). "Opipramol for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a placebo-controlled trial including an alprazolam-treated group". Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 21 (1): 59–65. doi:10.1097/00004714-200102000-00011. PMID 11199949. http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0271-0749&volume=21&issue=1&spage=59. 
  2. ^ a b c d Müller WE, Siebert B, Holoubek G, Gentsch C (November 2004). "Neuropharmacology of the anxiolytic drug opipramol, a sigma site ligand". Pharmacopsychiatry 37 Suppl 3: S189–97. doi:10.1055/s-2004-832677. PMID 15547785.