Reboxetine: a review of efficacy and tolerability

Clinical data on the efficacy and tolerability of the novel selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor reboxetine are reviewed. Reboxetine appears to have almost no pharmacological activity other than potently blocking the reuptake of noradrenaline. Clinical studies show reboxetine to be highly effective for the treatment of major depression. Reboxetine is more effective than placebo and comparable in efficacy to tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Some studies suggest that reboxetine may have slightly better efficacy than fluoxetine and imipramine. Reboxetine is effective in severely depressed patients as well as elderly depressed persons. Reboxetine is remarkably well tolerated, having very few side effects. Reboxetine appears to cause little sexual dysfunction. The most common side effects are dry mouth and constipation. The drug does not inhibit or induce hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes and is safe in overdose. Reboxetine may prove to be as effective and better tolerated than any other antidepressant currently available.