Preclinical Data
In preclinical studies:
The fluoxetine component of SYMBYAX increased serotonin in the prefrontal cortex.
Pharmacodynamic synergy between olanzapine and fluoxetine produced increases in dopamine and norepinephrine not seen with either drug alone.¹
The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but it has been proposed that the activation of all three monoaminergic neural systems that regulate mood — norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin — may be responsible for the enhanced antidepressant effect. In animal studies, the average concentrations of norepinephrine and dopamine in the prefrontal cortex were approximately 3 times greater than baseline with SYMBYAX, significantly greater than with olanzapine or fluoxetine alone.¹
Neither olanzapine nor fluoxetine monotherapy is approved for the treatment of bipolar depression.
Reference:
1. Zhang W, et al. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2000;23:250-262.
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