Centanafadine is a dual inhibitor of norepinephrine (NE)/dopamine (DA) transporter, also inhibits serotonin transporter (IC50s: 6 nM, 38 nM, and 83 nM for human NE, DA, and serotonin transporter).

NE (human):6 nM , 5-HT (human):83 nM , DA (human):38 nM

Centanafadine (EB-1020) preferentially inhibits monoamine reuptake in cloned cell lines transfected with human transporters (IC50s: 6 and 38 nM), for NE and DA transporters, Centanafadine has lesser effects on 5-HT transporter as it inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT (IC50: 83 nM).

In microdialysis studies, Centanafadine markedly increases NE, and DA concentrations levels in rat prefrontal cortex in vivo with peak increases of 375 and 300%, respectively with the greatest effects on NE, and also increases DA extracellular concentrations in the striatum to 400% of baseline concentrations. Centanafadine dose-dependently decreases immobility in the mouse tail suspension test of depression to 13% of control levels, and do not stimulate locomotor activity in adult rats in the optimal dose range. Centanafadine dose-dependently inhibits locomotor hyperactivity in juvenile rats lesioned with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (100 μg intracisternal) as neonates.