Minaprine is a psychotropic drug which has proved to be effective in the treatment of various depressive states. Like most antidepressants minaprine antagonizes behavioral despair. Minaprine is an amino-phenylpyridazine antidepressant reported to be relatively free of cardiotoxicity, drowsiness, and weight gain. (en)
Minaprine binds to serotonin type 2 receptors and to dopamine D1 and D2 type receptors. It also binds to the serotonin reuptake pump. Therefore, minaprine blocks the reuptake of both dopamine and serotonin. It is also, to a slight degree, cholinomimetic. Thus it may exhibit both mood-brightening and nootropic properties. It also acts as a reversible inhibitor of MAO-A (RIMA).It has also been found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. (en)