Amesergide (, ; developmental code name LY-237733) is a serotonin receptor antagonist of the ergoline and lysergamide families related to methysergide which was under development by Eli Lilly and Company for the treatment of a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, male sexual dysfunction, migraine, and thrombosis but was never marketed. It reached phase II clinical trials for the treatment of depression, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation prior to the discontinuation of its development.
Amesergide acts as a selective antagonist of the serotonin 5-HT<sub>2A</sub>, 5-HT<sub>2B</sub>, and 5-HT<sub>2C</sub> receptors (K<sub>i</sub> = 1.96âÂÂ15.1 nM). It is also an antagonist of the serotonin 5-HT<sub>7</sub> receptor with relatively lower affinity (K<sub>i</sub> = 78.0 nM). The drug is a potent antagonist of the ñ<sub>2</sub>-adrenergic receptor in addition to the 5-HT<sub>2</sub> receptors via its major active metabolite 4-hydroxyamesergide (K<sub>i</sub> = 13 nM). This profile of activity is similar to that of the so-called noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) mirtazapine (Remeron).
Amesergide also has affinity for the serotonin 5-HT<sub>1D</sub> receptor (K<sub>i</sub> = 57.9 nM) and lower affinity for the serotonin 5-HT<sub>1A</sub>, ñ<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic, and dopamine D<sub>1</sub> and D<sub>2</sub> receptors (K<sub>i</sub> = 150âÂÂ730 nM). It has negligible affinity for the histamine H<sub>1</sub> and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (K<sub>i</sub> > 10,000 nM). The drug does not appear to have been assessed at the serotonin 5-HT<sub>1E</sub>, 5-HT<sub>1F</sub>, 5-HT<sub>4</sub>, 5-HT<sub>5A</sub>, and 5-HT<sub>6</sub> receptors, nor at the dopamine D<sub>3</sub>, D<sub>4</sub>, and D<sub>5</sub> receptors.