Cidoxepin
Cidoxepin, also known as cis-doxepin or -doxepin, is a tricyclic antidepressant which was developed in the 1960s but was never marketed. It is the cis or stereoisomer of doxepin, a mixture of and isomers that is used commercially in a ratio of approximately 85:15 with cidoxepin as a relatively minor constituent. However, the drug has similar activity to that of doxepin, acting as a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, H1 receptor antagonist, and anticholinergic, and notably is thought to have more antidepressant activity than trans-doxepin. The central anticholinergic activity of cidoxepin has been reported to be 3-fold greater than that of the trans isomer in mice.
Cidoxepin has recently been reinvestigated and is now currently under development as an antihistamine by Elorac, Inc. for the treatment of chronic urticaria. As of 2017, it is in phase II clinical trials for this indication. The drug was also under investigation for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis, but development for these indications was discontinued.
