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Sex differences in cortisol response to reboxetine
1Section of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. sswstse@cityu.edu.hk
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|January 27, 2005
Summary
A single dose of reboxetine increased cortisol levels in healthy adults, particularly males. This noradrenergic compound did not impact mood but caused side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuropharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Reboxetine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
- Understanding its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is crucial.
- Sex differences in drug response warrant investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cortisol response to a single oral dose of reboxetine in healthy men and women.
- To assess the impact of reboxetine on mood and side-effects.
- To explore potential sex differences in the cortisol response to reboxetine.
Main Methods:
- Forty healthy volunteers received either placebo or 4 mg reboxetine under double-blind conditions.
- Saliva cortisol levels were measured at baseline, 1 hour, and 1.5 hours post-treatment.
- Mood and side-effects were assessed using standardized measures.
Main Results:
- Reboxetine significantly increased cortisol release 1.5 hours post-treatment compared to placebo.
- No significant effects of reboxetine on positive or negative mood were observed.
- Reboxetine administration resulted in a significantly greater cortisol increase in male volunteers than in female volunteers.
- Some side-effects were reported following reboxetine administration.
Conclusions:
- A single 4 mg dose of reboxetine can elicit a cortisol response in healthy individuals.
- Healthy male volunteers exhibit a heightened cortisol response to reboxetine compared to females.
- Reboxetine's effects on the HPA axis may be sex-dependent, suggesting differential responsiveness to noradrenergic compounds.