Table 1.
Characteristics and studied indications of the included novel rapid acting antidepressant drugs according to the results of at least one study considered
| Drug | Mechanism of action/pharmacology | Route of administration | Recommended dose per day | Possible condition of effectiveness in human samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Chlorokynurenine (AV-101) | Competitive NMDAR antagonism | Orally | 1080 or 1440 mg | None |
| Esmethadone (REL-1017) | Noncompetitive NMDAR antagonism | Orally | 25 or 50 mg | Adjunctive treatment to standard antidepressants in MDD |
| Dextromethorphan-bupropion (AXS-05) | Noncompetitive NMDAR antagonism | Orally | 45 mg dextromethorphan/105 mg bupropion | Monotherapy in MDD and TRD |
| Psilocybin | 5-HT2AR agonism | Orally | 10 or 20 or 25 or 30 mg | Monotherapy in MDD and TRD monotherapy in cancer and AIDS-related depression and anxiety (PAP) |
| Pimavanserin | 5-HT2AR antagonism/inverse agonism | Orally | 34 mg | Adjunctive treatment to standard antidepressants in MDD monotherapy and adjunctive treatment to standard antidepressants in MDD associated with Parkinson’s disease |
| Zuranolone (SAGE-217) | GABAAR PAM | Orally | 30 or 50 mg | Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment to standard antidepressants in MDD monotherapy in PPD monotherapy in bipolar depression |
| Prax-114 | GABAAR PAM | Orally | 10 or 20 or 40 or 60 mg | Monotherapy in PMD |
| Ph-10 (pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one) | Nasal chemosensory receptor modulator | Intranasally | 3.2 or 6.4 µg | Monotherapy in MDD |
| Seltorexant (JNJ-42847922/MIN-202) | Selective OX-2R antagonism | Orally | 10 or 20 or 40 mg | Adjunctive treatment to standard antidepressants in MDD |
GABAAR, gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor; MDD, major depressive disorder; NMDAR, n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor; OX-2R, orexin type 2 receptor; PAM, positive allosteric modulator; PAP, psilocybin assisted psychotherapy; PMD, perimenopausal depression; PPD, postpartum depression; R, receptor; TRD, treatment-resistant depression.