LY135252, (+/-)-N-methyl-gamma-(2-methylphenoxy) phenylpropylamine hydrochloride, is a competitive inhibitor of norepinephrine uptake in synaptosomes of rat hypothalamus. The resolved optical (-)-isomer, LY139603, is 2 and 9 times more effective than the racemate and the (+)-isomer, LY139602, with inhibitor constants (Ki) of 1.9, 3.4 and 16.8 nM, respectively. All three compounds are relatively weak in the inhibition of dopamine and serotonin uptake, with Ki values at least two orders of magnitude greater. The racemate and the two optical isomers in vivo are potent inhibitors of norepinephrine uptake with relative effectiveness being parallel with their K1 values. The most potent and long-acting compound was the (-)-isomer, LY139603, which inhibited norepinephrine uptake ex vivo with an ED50 value of 2.2 mg/kg i.p, and a half-life of 6.4 hr. In comparison with the tricyclic antidepressants desipramine and imipramine, LY139603 is a relatively weak ligand for alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta adrenergic receptors, acetylcholine-muscarinic receptors, histaminergic H1 receptors and the receptors of gamma-aminobutyric acid and benzodiazepines. Thus, LY139603 is a remarkably specific inhibitor of norepinephrine uptake. Its potential as an antidepressant is discussed.