Reboxetine--another new antidepressant

Reboxetine (Edronax-Pharmacia & Upjohn) is a new antidepressant drug introduced last year for the acute treatment and, in patients who respond, the maintenance treatment of depression. It is marketed as a "new selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor" (or 'NARI'). The manufacturer claims that reboxetine "not only lifts depressed mood" but also "helps restore social interaction", with "significantly better outcome in terms of social functioning" than fluoxetine. We assess these claims and consider the place of reboxetine in therapy.