Molecule

Drug Groups

approved

Description

An indole derivative effective in schizophrenia and other psychoses and possibly useful in the treatment of the aggressive type of undersocialized conduct disorder. Molindone has much lower affinity for D2 receptors than most antipsychotic agents and has a relatively low affinity for D1 receptors. It has only low to moderate affinity for cholinergic and alpha-adrenergic receptors. Some electrophysiologic data from animals indicate that molindone has certain characteristics that resemble those of clozapine. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p283)

Indication

Molindone is used for the management of the manifestations of psychotic disorders.

Pharmacology

Molindone is a dihydroindolone compound which is not structurally related to the phenothiazines, the butyrophenones, or the thioxanthenes. Molindone has a pharmacological profile in laboratory animals which predominantly resembles that of major tranquilizers causing reduction of spontaneous locomotion and aggressiveness, suppression of a conditioned response and antagonism of the bizarre stereotyped behavior and hyperactivity induced by amphetamines. In addition, molindone antagonizes the depression caused by the tranquilizing agent tetrabenazine.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Most likely hepatic. 36 metabolites have been recognized, some of which may be active.

Absorption

Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration.

Elimination

Human metabolic studies show molindone to be rapidly absorbed and metabolized when given orally. There are 36 recognized metabolites with less than 2-3% unmetabolized molindone being excreted in urine and feces.

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