Tetrindole

In terms of chemical structure, tetrindole is close to pyrazidol and differs by the presence at position 8 of the pyrazinocarbazole nucleus of the cyclohexyl radical instead of the CH ₃ group.

According to pharmacological properties, tetrindole is close to pyrazidol. It is also a reversible short-range selective MAO inhibitor of type A. The drug actively inhibits the deamination of norepinephrine and serotonin, and to a lesser extent tyramine , which virtually eliminates the risk of developing a “cheese” (tyramine) syndrome.

Tetrindol has no anticholinergic effect. Like pyrazidol, it reduces the depriminating effects of reserpine, potentiates the effects of phenamine , L-dopa , 5- oxytryptophan .

The drug is rapidly absorbed when taken orally, easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier , is found in brain tissues in relatively high concentrations.

An important feature of the therapeutic effect of tetrindole is the relatively rapid onset of effect. Unlike other antidepressants, the effect of which manifests itself after 7-10 days and later, the effect of tetrindole is noted in some cases after 2-3 days from the start of treatment.

In the spectrum of action of tetrindole, a stimulating (psychoenergetic) and actually antidepressant (timoleptic) effect are combined.

The drug is prescribed for depressions of various origins : endogenous and psychogenic (reactive, neurotic), depressions caused by organic brain lesions, with depressive disorders in patients with chronic alcoholism .

The use of tetrindole is preferable for depressive states of the cyclothymic level (simple melancholic syndrome , asthenic and adynamic disorders, depression with ideative and motor inhibition, depressive disorders with predominantly hypochondriacal symptoms).

In the alcoholism clinic, tetrindole is used for astheno-depressive conditions, adynamic subdepressions occurring with low mood, depression, apathy , increased fatigue in the absence of severe anxiety, insomnia, dysphoric disorders, and outside the period of acute withdrawal.

Tetrindol is prescribed orally in the form of tablets, starting with a dose of 0.025-0.05 g (25-50 mg) per dose, 2 times a day (morning and afternoon) with a gradual (within 1-2 weeks) dose increase individually, depending on effectiveness and tolerance up to 0.2-0.4 g (200-400 mg) per day. The selection of optimal doses, the duration of treatment depend on the nature and course of the disease, the effectiveness and tolerability of the drug.

In some cases, with treatment with tetrindol, exacerbation of anxiety, dry mouth, and headache are possible. When taking the drug in the evening, sleep disturbance is possible. Complications similar to the "cheese" syndrome , with the use of tetrindole, are practically not observed.

Tetrindol is contraindicated in inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and liver in the period of exacerbation, as well as in acute alcohol withdrawal .

Tetrindol is usually well tolerated, including by patients of advanced and senile age. The absence of anticholinergic properties allows the drug to be prescribed for concomitant glaucoma , prostate adenoma and other diseases in which tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine), which have an anticholinergic effect, are contraindicated.

• Mashkovsky M. D. Medicines. - 15th ed. - M .: New Wave, 2005 .-- S. 95. - 1200 p. - ISBN 5-7864-0203-7 .
• Tetrindol // Medicines / M.D. Mashkovsky . - Reference Mashkovsky on-line .