Question:medium

Which of the following is a novel (newer) antidepressant that acts as a serotonin partial agonist and reuptake inhibitor (SPARI)?

Show Hint

Think SPARI: SSRI plus 5-HT1A partial agonism - the newest of the four.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
  • Vilazodone
  • Trazodone
  • Imipramine
  • Amitriptyline
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To pick the “novel” antidepressant, rank the candidates by era and mechanism.

$\text{Vilazodone} \Rightarrow \text{SPARI (2011)}$ - serotonin partial agonist + reuptake inhibitor; it both blocks the serotonin transporter and partially agonises the $5\text{-}HT_{1A}$ autoreceptor, which is thought to give a faster onset and fewer sexual side effects than classic SSRIs.

$\text{Trazodone} \Rightarrow \text{SARI}$, an older serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor used at low dose mainly as a hypnotic.

$\text{Imipramine, Amitriptyline} \Rightarrow \text{TCAs}$, the oldest generation, acting on serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake with anticholinergic and cardiac liabilities.

Among these, only vilazodone represents a recently developed molecule with a distinctive dual serotonergic mechanism, so it is the answer.

\[\boxed{\text{Novel antidepressant} = \text{Vilazodone}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0