Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant



Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) are a class of psychiatric drugs used primarily as antidepressants. They act by antagonizing various adrenergic and serotonin receptors, of which typically consist of α1-adrenergic and α2-adrenergic, and 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT3, respectively. By blocking α2-adrenergic autoreceptors and heteroreceptors, NaSSAs enhance adrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, notably 5-HT1A-mediated transmission. Unlike many common antidepressants, the NaSSAs have no efficacy as serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

List of NaSSAs
The NaSSAs include the following agents:


 * Aptazapine (CGS-7525A)
 * Esmirtazapine (ORG-50,081)
 * Mianserin (Bolvidon, Norval, Tolvon)
 * Mirtazapine (Remeron, Avanza, Zispin)
 * Setiptiline (Tecipul)

Notably, all of these compounds are also classified as tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs).