The promises and pitfalls of reboxetine
by
Page ME.
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy,
Drexel University College of Medicine,
2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129.
page@drexel.edu.
CNS Drug Rev. 2003 Winter;9(4):327-42.

ABSTRACT

The antidepressant compound, morpholine, 2-[(2-ethoxyphenoxy)phenylmethyl]-,methanesulfonate, or reboxetine, is a selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor that acts by binding to the norepinephrine (NE) transporter and blocking reuptake of extracellular NE back into terminals. This compound has low affinity for other transporters and receptors. The development of reboxetine as a potential antidepressant stems from the prior demonstration that blockade of the NE transporter imparts antidepressant activity. Desipramine, lofepramine, and nortryptiline are examples of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) compounds from the first generation of antidepressants that exert their effects by blockade of NE reuptake. Maprotiline, a non-tricyclic compound, is also a NE selective reuptake inhibitor. Unfortunately, these antidepressants are also associated with interactions with muscarinic, histaminergic, and adrenergic receptors, which are known to contribute to a variety of untoward side effects. Despite the positive pharmacological profile of reboxetine, i.e., selectivity and specificity, with relatively fewer side effects, its use as an antidepressant is currently limited to Europe. Reboxetine is marketed as Edronax(R) in the UK, Norebox(R) in Italy, and as Irenor(R) in Spain. It is registered in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Austria and Finland. Based on studies conducted primarily outside the US, the FDA granted a preliminary letter of approval in 1999. However, more recent clinical studies conducted in the US and Canada, prompted by the FDA, resulted in a letter of non-approval. To date, it is unclear why the further development of reboxetine as an antidepressant in the US has been halted. Despite this setback, reboxetine has been a valuable pharmacological tool to assess the role of the noradrenergic system in preclinical studies of depressive disorder.

Selectivity
Reboxetine
Venlafaxine
Noradrenaline
Serotonin reuptake inhibition
Dopamine reuptake inhibition
Noradrenaline reuptake inhibition
Noradrenaline, anxiety and mood disorders
Reboxetine: pharmacological and clinical profile

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