Is Agomelatine an Effective Antidepressant?

Agomelatine, available in Europe but not in the U.S., is a novel antidepressant that blocks serotonin 2C receptors and stimulates melatonin receptors. In a meta-analysis, researchers have examined data from all 20 randomized, controlled, clinical trials on agomelatine; 12 studies compared the drug with placebo (N=3591), and 13 with active antidepressant treatments (N=4559 participants). Three studies were conducted in the U.S.

Researchers also examined study design bias and publication bias. Agomelatine was more effective than placebo, with a small effect size, and had similar efficacy as antidepressants but greater tolerability. The effect size for agomelatine was smaller in the 9 unpublished studies than in the 11 published ones. Agomelati…