Last reviewed · How we verify

Coaxil (tianeptine)

Pfizer · FDA-approved active Quality 50/100

Tianeptine works by binding to the mu-type opioid receptor, which can affect the brain's response to pain and emotions.

Tianeptine, marketed as Coaxil by Pfizer, currently holds no approved indications and has not conducted any clinical trials, positioning it outside the mainstream antidepressant market. Its unique mechanism of action, involving the mu-type opioid receptor, distinguishes it from key competitors such as tryptophan, nomifensine, trazodone, nefazodone, and viloxazine. A significant risk is the lack of clinical data and approved indications, which may limit its market potential and adoption by healthcare providers. The pipeline outlook remains uncertain due to the absence of ongoing clinical trials and the requirement for a PD-L1 companion diagnostic for several potential indications.

At a glance

Generic nametianeptine
SponsorPfizer
Drug classtianeptine
TargetMu-type opioid receptor
Therapeutic areaPain
PhaseFDA-approved

Mechanism of action

Imagine your brain has a special lockbox that controls how you feel pain and emotions. Tianeptine is a key that fits into this lockbox, which can help change how the lockbox works. This can lead to changes in how you feel pain and emotions, but it's not fully understood how it works.

Approved indications

No approved indications tracked.

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

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