Pirlindole, a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA), was developed and is used as an antidepressant in Russia. It is structurally and pharmacologically related to metralindole. Pirlindole has been approved for the treatment of depression in several European and non-European countries. Due to extensive first-pass effects, its absolute bioavailability ranges from 20% to 30%. When administered orally, the Tmax in rats varies from 2.5 to 6 hours, while in dogs it ranges from 0.8 to 2 hours.