[Two new antidepressants: mirtazapine and venlafaxine].

Mirtazapine and venlafaxine are two novel antidepressants which are pharmacologically different from other new anti-depressants. Mirtazapine blocks the presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoreceptors and has a benign safety profile. Venlafaxine particularly inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and in higher doses it inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine as well. Its adverse events profile is similar to that of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Efficacy studies show that both compounds are effective in depressed outpatients. In depressed inpatients with psychotic features, suicidality or a longlasting episode mirtazapine is not effective and in such patients venlafaxine was not studied.