Tag: Glutamate modulation

Riluzole was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 1995. However, a newer medication, troriluzole, was developed as an optimized prodrug of riluzole, aiming to improve its pharmacokinetic properties and side effect profile.

Initially believed to be a serotonin reuptake enhancer, modern research reveals that tianeptine’s therapeutic and recreational effects stem from a much more complex and unique set of actions in the brain. The drug's dual modulation of the opioid system and glutamate signaling provides a new perspective on how it exerts its effects.

In countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, tianeptine has been used as a prescription medication to treat depression and anxiety. In stark contrast, it is not approved for any medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has issued multiple warnings about its significant health risks and high potential for abuse.