Desvenlafaxine is a dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor in vitro and in vivo that demonstrates good brain-to-plasma ratios. Desvenlafaxine has demonstrated antidepressant effects in preclinical studies. Pfizer is developing an oral, extended-release formulation of desvenlafaxine for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Desvenlafaxine has been registered and is available on the market for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.

Lacosamide is an anticonvulsant that is FDA approved for the treatment of partial-onset seizures. The precise mechanism by which lacosamide exerts its antiepileptic effects in humans remains to be fully elucidated. In vitro electrophysiological studies have shown that lacosamide selectively enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels, resulting in stabilization of hyperexcitable neuronal membranes and inhibition of repetitive neuronal firing Common adverse reactions include diplopia, headache, dizziness, nausea. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are taking strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 may have a significant increase in exposure to Lacosamide tablets.

Rufinamide is an anti-epileptic drug that is FDA approved for the treatment of lennox-gastaut syndrome (LGS). The principal mechanism of action of rufinamide is modulation of the activity of sodium channels and, in particular, prolongation of the inactive state of the channel. Hormonal contraceptives may be less effective with rufinamide. Patients on valproate should begin at a rufinamide dose lower than 10 mg/kg per day (pediatric patients) or 400 mg per day (adults). Common adverse reactions include headache, dizziness, fatigue, somnolence, and nausea.

Rotigotine is an agonist at all 5 dopamine receptor subtypes (D1-D5) but binds to the D3 receptor with the highest affinity. It is also an antagonist at α-2-adrenergic receptors and an agonist at the 5HT1A receptors. Rotigotine also inhibits dopamine uptake and prolactin secretion. It is FDA approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome. Dopamine antagonists, such as antipsychotics or metoclopramide, may diminish the effectiveness of Rotigotine. Common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, somnolence, application site reactions, dizziness, anorexia, hyperhidrosis, insomnia and dyskinesia.

Rasagiline (N-propargyl-1-(R)-aminoindan) is a selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) inhibitor, which has been developed as an anti-Parkinson drug and was sold as a mesylate salt under brand name AZILECT. AZILECT is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) as initial monotherapy and as adjunct therapy to levodopa. The effectiveness of AZILECT was demonstrated in patients with early Parkinson’s disease who were receiving AZILECT as monotherapy and who were not receiving any concomitant dopaminergic therapy. The effectiveness of AZILECT as adjunct therapy was demonstrated in patients with Parkinson’s disease who were treated with levodopa. PD is a progressive neurodegenerative, dopamine deficiency disorder. The main therapeutic strategies for PD treatment relies on dopamine precursors (levodopa), inhibition of dopamine metabolism (monoamine oxidase [MAO] B and catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitors), and dopamine receptor agonists. In contrast to selegiline, rasagiline is not metabolized to potentially toxic amphetamine metabolites. The precise mechanisms of action of rasagiline is unknown. One mechanism is believed to be related to its MAO-B inhibitory activity, which causes an increase in extracellular levels of dopamine in the striatum.

Paliperidone (9-OH-risperidone) is the primary active metabolite of the older antipsychotic risperidone. While its specific mechanism of action is unknown, it is believed that paliperidone and risperidone act via similar if not the same pathways. It has been proposed that the drug's therapeutic activity in schizophrenia is mediated through a combination of central dopamine Type 2 (D2) and serotonin Type 2 (5HT2A) receptor antagonism. Paliperidone is also active as an antagonist at alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenergic receptors and H1 histaminergic receptors, which may explain some of the other effects of the drug. Paliperidone was approved by the FDA for treatment of schizophrenia on December 20, 2006. Very common adverse effects are: headache, tachycardia, somnolence and insomnia.

Varenicline is a partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, designed to partially activate this system while displacing nicotine at its sites of action in the brain. Varenicline is an alpha-4 beta-2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist. The drug shows high selectiviyty for this receptor subclass, relative to other nicotinic receptors (>500-fold alpha-3 beta-4, >3500-fold alpha-7, >20,000-fold alpha-1 beta gamma delta) or non-nicotinic receptors and transporters (>2000-fold). The drug competitively inhibits the ability of nicotine to bind to and activate the alpha-4 beta-2 receptor. The drug exerts mild agonistic activity at this site, though at a level much lower than nicotine; it is presumed that this activation eases withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline is sold under the trade name Chantix and Champix, it is indicated for use as an aid to smoking cessation treatment.

Ramelteon was approved by the United States (U.S.) in July 2005, and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in April 2010. It is currently available in the USA and Japan as ROZEREM and is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. In October 7, 2011, Takeda has decided to discontinue the development of ramelteon in Europe for the treatment of insomnia in order to best optimize Takeda’s resources for its research and development activities. Ramelteon is a melatonin receptor agonist with both high affinity for melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors and selectivity over the MT3 receptor. Ramelteon demonstrates full agonist activity in vitro in cells expressing human MT1 or MT2 receptors, and high selectivity for human MT1 and MT2 receptors compared to the MT3 receptor. The activity of ramelteon at the MT1 and MT2 receptors is believed to contribute to its sleep-promoting properties since these receptors are acted upon by endogenous melatonin and are thought to be involved in the maintenance of the circadian rhythm underlying normal sleep-wake cycles. Ramelteon has no appreciable affinity for the GABA receptor complex or for receptors that bind neuropeptides, cytokines, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, and opiates.

Acamprosate was the third medication, after disulfiram and naltrexone, to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for postwithdrawal maintenance of alcohol abstinence. The French pharmaceutical company Laboratoires Meram began clinical development and testing of acamprosate in 1982. From 1982 to 1988, acamprosate was tested for safety and for efficacy as a treatment for alcohol dependence. Based on these studies, in 1989 Laboratoires Meram was granted marketing authorization for acamprosate in France under the trade name Aotal®. Since then, acamprosate has been extensively used and studied throughout Europe and, subsequently, in the United States. Although acamprosate has been used in Europe for more than 20 years, it was not approved by FDA until July 2004. Acamprosate became available for use in the United States in January 2005, under the trade name Campral® Delayed-Release Tablets (Merck Santé, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany). Campral is currently marketed in the United States by Forest Pharmaceuticals. The mechanism of action of acamprosate in maintenance of alcohol abstinence is not completely understood. Chronic alcohol exposure is hypothesized to alter the normal balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition. in vitro and in vivo studies in animals have provided evidence to suggest acamprosate may interact with glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems centrally, and has led to the hypothesis that acamprosate restores this balance. It seems to inhibit NMDA receptors while activating GABA receptors.

Duloxetine (brand names Cymbalta, Yentreve, and in parts of Europe, Xeristar or Ariclaim) is indicated for the acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), as well as acute management of generalized anxiety disorder. Also used for the management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and fibromyalgia. Has been used in the management of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. It is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly and Company. Duloxetine has not yet been FDA approved for stress urinary incontinence or for fibromyalgia. Duloxetine is a selective SNRI (selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Duloxetine is a systemic drug therapy which affects the body as a whole. Known also under the code name LY248686, it is a potent dual reuptake inhibitor of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE), possessing comparable affinities in binding to NE- and 5-HT transporter sites. It is a less potent inhibitor of dopamine reuptake.