Tag: Enantiomers

Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder, but its full name isn't just mirtazapine; it's a racemic mixture composed of two mirror-image molecules called enantiomers, known as S(+) and R(-) mirtazapine. Understanding what is mirtazapine R and its unique contribution is key to appreciating the drug's distinct pharmacological profile. The R-enantiomer, in particular, has specific blocking actions on certain receptors, complementing its S-enantiomer counterpart.

In the late 1970s, reports of severe cardiotoxicity and fatal outcomes associated with bupivacaine led to an intense focus on understanding its pharmacological properties and developing safer alternatives. Levobupivacaine emerged as a safer option due to fundamental differences in its chemical structure, which significantly reduces the risk of cardiac adverse effects compared to the racemic bupivacaine mixture.