Serotonin Dual-Action

View the visualisation that shows and explains the unique Serotonin Dual-Action

• SSRIs/SNRIs bind at the primary site of the serotonin transporter responsible for the inhibition of serotonin neurotransmitter reuptake. This binding results in an intermittent "switch-on, switch-off" inhibition of serotonin reuptake.
• Cipralex binds to two different sites on the serotonin transporter - it has a high affinity for the primary binding site, and binds also to an allosteric site on the serotonin transporter. This double-binding results in a stronger, longer and more complete inhibition of serotonin reuptake.

This effect can best be described as 'Serotonin Dual-Action', and potentially accounts for why Cipralex is more efficacious in both depression and anxiety than other antidepressants that modulate serotonin.

• The inhibition of the Serotonin re-uptake is the only likely mechanism of action explaining the pharmacological and clinical effects of Cipralex.

View the visualisation that shows and explains the unique Serotonin Dual-Action

Reference:

1. Sanchez C, Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2006 Aug;99(2):91-5