indication

For the treatment of clinical depression.

pharmacology

Reboxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NaRI), the first drug of new antidepressant class. Reboxetine is an a-ariloxybenzyl derivative of morpholine. Reboxetine is primarily used to treat depression but has also been found useful in the treatment of narcolepsy and panic disorders.

mechanism of action

Reboxetine is a selective inhibitor of noradrenaline reuptake. It inhibits noradrenaline reuptake in vitro to a similar extent to the tricyclic antidepressant desmethylimipramine. Reboxetine does not affect dopamine or serotonin reuptake and it has low in vivo and in vitro affinity for adrenergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors.

toxicity

Reports of seizures (rare) have been reported

biotransformation

Reboxetine is metabolized by dealkylation, hydroxylation and oxidation followed by glucuronide or sulphate conjugation. It is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 CYP isoenzyme 3A4.

absorption

Reboxetine is rapidly and extensively absorbed following oral administration.

half life

12.5 hours