Description: Vortioxetine is an antidepressant medication used to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It is classified as a “serotonin modulator and stimulator” (SMS) because it has a unique, multimodal mechanism of action.

Indication: Vortioxetine is primarily indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

Mechanism of Action: The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed to work by enhancing serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. It has a multimodal action, which means it works in more than one way:

• It inhibits the reuptake of serotonin by blocking the serotonin transporter (SERT).
• It also acts directly on several serotonin receptors: it is an agonist of the 5-HT1A receptor, a partial agonist of the 5-HT1B receptor, and an antagonist of the 5-HT3, 5-HT1D, and 5-HT7 receptors.
• This combined action is thought to increase the extracellular concentration of serotonin and other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine