Amineptine dependence: Three-case report and review of the literature.

Amineptine is an antidepressant acting on dopamine system instead of norepinephrine/serotonin system as other antidepressants. The author presents three cases of amineptine abuse and dependence. All had addictive potential and amineptine was taken at 1.5, 4 and 10 gm./day respectively. Information regarding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug were discussed comparing with amphetamine, the substance that acting on the same mesolimbic dopaminergic system. Recent international reports of amineptine dependence were also compared.