Mirtazapine is a potent and orally active noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) agent. It acts as a 5-HT2, 5-HT3, histamine H1 receptor, and α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, enhancing the release of norepinephrine and 5-HT1A-mediated serotonergic transmission.
- Antagonizes 5-HT2, 5-HT3, histamine H1, and α2-adrenoceptors
- Enhances norepinephrine and 5-HT1A-mediated serotonergic transmission
- Reduces activation-induced release of cytokine/chemokine mediators from human CD14+ monocytes in vitro
- Inhibits Con A-induced liver injury in vivo by suppressing hepatic macrophage/monocyte activation
- Decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production and reduces neutrophil recruitment into the liver in vivo