CNS Pharmacology - Pharmacy Freak

Mechanism of Action of Vilazodone

August 10, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Vilazodone is an oral antidepressant marketed under the brand name Viibryd. Pharmacologically, vilazodone is commonly described as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist. Major depressive disorder, commonly called MDD, is a psychiatric disorder involving persistent low mood, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, appetite changes, fatigue, guilt, impaired concentration, psychomotor changes, and suicidal … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Suvorexant

July 30, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Suvorexant is an oral hypnotic drug marketed under the brand name Belsomra. Pharmacologically, suvorexant is a dual orexin receptor antagonist, commonly called a DORA. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or both. Unlike traditional sedative-hypnotic drugs that broadly depress the central nervous system through GABAergic mechanisms, suvorexant … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Solriamfetol

July 25, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Solriamfetol is an oral wakefulness-promoting drug marketed under the brand name Sunosi. Pharmacologically, solriamfetol is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, commonly abbreviated as DNRI. Excessive daytime sleepiness is a major symptom in narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. In narcolepsy, sleep-wake regulation is disturbed, often due to abnormalities in wake-promoting and REM sleep-regulating pathways. … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Ocrelizumab

July 22, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Ocrelizumab is a monoclonal antibody used in multiple sclerosis. It is marketed as Ocrevus for intravenous infusion. Ocrelizumab is also the active anti-CD20 antibody component in Ocrevus Zunovo, a subcutaneous formulation that contains ocrelizumab with hyaluronidase. Pharmacologically, ocrelizumab is a CD20-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody. It is designed to target CD20-positive B lymphocytes, which are … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Lumateperone

July 21, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Lumateperone is an oral atypical antipsychotic marketed under the brand name Caplyta. It is used in adults for schizophrenia, depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder, and as adjunctive therapy with antidepressants for major depressive disorder. The current U.S. prescribing information lists the recommended Caplyta dose as 42 mg orally once … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Rexulti

July 20, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Rexulti is the brand name of brexpiprazole, an oral atypical antipsychotic used in psychiatric and neuropsychiatric conditions. Pharmacologically, brexpiprazole is a serotonin-dopamine activity modulator with partial agonist activity at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, along with antagonist activity at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Rexulti is used as adjunctive therapy with antidepressants for major depressive … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Kesimpta

July 13, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Kesimpta is the brand name of ofatumumab, a subcutaneous monoclonal antibody used for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Pharmacologically, Kesimpta is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody. It is used in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Latuda

July 12, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Latuda is the brand name of lurasidone hydrochloride, an oral atypical antipsychotic drug. It is mainly used for schizophrenia and depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Pharmacologically, lurasidone is classified as a second-generation antipsychotic, also called an atypical antipsychotic. Lurasidone works by modulating dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission in the brain. The exact therapeutic … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Trintellix

June 27, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Trintellix is the brand name of vortioxetine, an oral antidepressant used for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. It is commonly described as a multimodal serotonergic antidepressant because it affects serotonin reuptake and multiple serotonin receptor subtypes. Current prescribing information lists Trintellix as indicated for major depressive disorder in adults. Trintellix is … Read more

Mechanism of Action of Qelbree

June 24, 2026 Harsh Singh Rajput

Introduction Qelbree is the brand name of viloxazine extended-release, a non-stimulant drug used for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly called ADHD. It is indicated for ADHD in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older. Qelbree is pharmacologically important because it is different from stimulant ADHD medicines such as methylphenidate and amphetamine … Read more