24 replies to this topic

[Simba Cub]

Tried Reboxetine for a while and didn't have that great an experience on it - I became very edgy, nervous and jittery. It didn't help with my depression either, but that's nothing new!

I will say, though, that the drug is usually very well tolerated.

I quote from my archives:

A relatively modern medication, Reboxetine is fast proving its worth in the treatment of depressive disorders. One particular trait worth mentioning is its ability to compliment SSRI drug therapy safely, typically increasing the antidepressant qualities that both drug possess. Reboxetine typically takes approximately two weeks to present the patient with an antidepressant effect.

Compared to most antidepressants, Reboxetine has a low side effect profile and is generally considered to be a comparatively safe drug to administer. The most common side effects reported are a dry mouth, constipation, insomnia, excessive sweating, vertigo and urinary hesitance and/or retention; impotence may be experienced as well, but is uncommon in doses south of 8mg per day.

Generally, side effects generally recede during the first four to eight weeks of therapy. Discontinuation (withdrawal) of the drug only causes adverse effects in 4% of patients; interestingly, patients treated with a placebo had a 6% chance of experiencing adverse effects. However, Reboxetine can be hazardous in patients exhibiting a bipolar disorder, magnifying the manic stage to a distressing extent.

At the time of writing, Reboxetine is not available to patients within the USA.

Rich::

[KG85]

Anyone tried both Strattera as well as Rebox... and maybe desipramine as well? Were the effects felt similar in any ways?
Ive taken strattera and that made me edgy and moody as hell. Took desipramine but for two short a time to really analyze its effects. I just knew it was making me tired and what seemed like (maybe) more depressed.

[Jerod Poore]

Anyone tried both Strattera as well as Rebox...

Why some people have, including people who have frequented the many incarnations of this site, they are few and far between.

Because of various patent issues and the like you won't find Strattera and reboxetine available in the same countries.

I think Health Canada has both approved, but Eli Lilly won't market Strattera in Canada.

and maybe desipramine as well? Were the effects felt similar in any ways?
Ive taken strattera and that made me edgy and moody as hell. Took desipramine but for two short a time to really analyze its effects. I just knew it was making me tired and what seemed like (maybe) more depressed.

I can only report a sampling as you have, Strattera vs. Desimpramine. Like reboxetine they are all pure norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Although desipramine does its antihistamine thing, hence you're being more tired.

In terms of potency desipramine wins hands down, followed by reboxetine than Strattera. I don't have the numbers on selectivity.

All three are metabolized via CYP2D6.

I had to stop taking desipramine because the constipation landed me in the hospital. That was part of the reason for the delay in getting the site back up.

[berry]

I've been on Edronax for over 8 weeks now. After about 4 days starting it i noticed feeling better - not happy just not really suicidal.

Since then, i havent noticed anything 'different' but i wouldnt say im terribly depressed, just not happy either. (for most of the time)
I'm still on 4mg, so i think i will increase it to 8mg, (my doc did say i could do that sometime).

has anyone else had any experience with this drug? I have a feeling that seroquel is what is having an effect on my mood - if i dont take it i feel desperately depressed and suicidal again, as well as feeling seriously weird. If the Edronax isnt working i dont want to be taking it. But i dont want to complain if it is and im just... complaining about nothing.

any thoughts on this?

[Cyeic]

It's important to remember that antidepressants are not happy pills - the closest they get is causing hypo/manic reactions in those with bipolar.

Assess if you still have symptoms of depression (sleeping problems, lack of energy, guilt ect) - if the medication has diminished/eradicated symptoms, perhapse now is the time to look into therapy.

I would say if you're on a cocktail of meds which is stopping you feel suicidal, keep taking it. Look into either dosage increases or augmenting agents if you're still experiancing symptoms.

[berry]

thanks for replying so fast

i know antidepressants wont make me 'happy'. but i do still have trouble sleeping, lack energy, and lack interest in doing much.., low motivation etc.
so im not sure whether this is the best it will get. or whether i should ask for something better?
i know that seroquel is helping me sleep. if i take that away then i feel really depressed and the 'not sleeping' problem becomes huge..

thankyou for your advice. i will talk to my doc as soon as i get back into the country
i guess i'll try increasing edronax and see what happens.

[Simba Cub]

I didn't get along with Reboxetine - it made me jittery, wired and nervous. After a month or so, I moved on.

However, I do acknowledge that Reboxetine is, typically, a drug with fewer side effects than standard SSRIs and can be the magic key for many people.



Rich::

[She of the metaverse]

I take the edronax for depression/bipolar depression symptoms and Risperdal as a moodstabilizer/anti psychotic. At some point in another 2 1/2 months we will add in Topmax also to try and get more stabilizing (Not entirely sure I will add Topamax now).

Um as to why I take those particular drugs, its pretty much because I did my research based on me and my symptoms along with my reactions to former drugs and came up with that and the Pdoc agreed to let me try.

Its only been 2 weeks but the Risperdal/Edronax combo seems to be working VERY well for me and still at tiny doses. I'd even go as far as to say it is producing results above the best I ever recieved from my Lithium/Cipramil combo.

No side effects from either.

As to alcohol, that is totally off the shopping, I had a single beer and was comatose.

[dymphna]

Anyone tried both Strattera as well as Rebox...

All three are metabolized via CYP2D6.

Hmm... not Edronax as I read the Swedish prescription info.

Do you have a source confirming that? I´d be very curious to see it, because I´ve been on it for more than a year now, believing it was only metabolized by CYP3A4 - and trying to predict interactions, and counteract them when adding/removing meds, with this belief.

From Pfizer Australia's PI Sheet:

Reboxetine is extensively metabolised after oral administration. The drug is predominantly metabolised through hydroxylation of the ethoxyphenoxy ring, o-dealkylation and oxidation of the morpholine ring. In vitro studies indicate that CYP3A4 is the isozyme of cytochrome P-450 that is primarily responsible for the metabolism of reboxetine. In vitro studies show that reboxetine has no effect on the activity of the following isozymes of cytochrome P-450: CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2E1. At high concentrations, reboxetine inhibits CYP2D6. In vitro studies show that reboxetine is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4. In vitro studies have shown that the major circulating metabolite, the 3-morpholine oxidation product of reboxetine, has little or no activity on noradrenergic or seratonergic uptake, and is unlikely to contribute to the pharmacological activity of reboxetine.

[...]

Elimination of reboxetine is mainly via hepatic metabolism (by cytochrome P4503A4) with a mean terminal half-life of about 12 hours.

Dymphna

[GoldCoin]

I have been on endronax since February 09. It has been a life save for me.

I went back in to hospital after a bad time with prozac and they switched me to it. I am on 16mg a day, with a relatively quick titration
I dd notice that it defiantly makes me more awake and alert and i can get really jittery and anxious but it has stopped the bad depression like no other for me, and i am pretty much side effect free, except for the constipation

I would recommend this drug to someone looking for something other than an SSRI.

[She of the metaverse]

Just thought I'd pipe up and say I'm still on Edronax at the same 8mg a day dose 5 months later and I still think its the bees knees.

[Bipolar Maniac]

I'm on edronax/reboxetin now as well (Australia). My mixed episode started going down into depression. Since I can get pretty suicidal in a matter of weeks my doc & I decided we should nip it in the bud. I've taken antidepressants in the past and they tend to make me go manic, especially Zoloft, Effexor made me switch after 6 months even with lithium and I had to stop taking it ASAP (nasty withdrawal).

So my doc suggested edronax as a possible solution. According to him it should give me more energy (I've been sleeping too much) and better focus, while I'll still have to keep an eye on my happy/sad mood. And this stuff is apparently the least likely to trigger a manic episode.

I'm on 2mg for starters (4 days) and mainly experiencing some side effects for now. Nothing intolerable, a bit of sweating for no good reason, waking up early and slightly better attention span. I'm hmm... one of those people with reactive brain and small doses work on me.

[Bipolar Maniac]

Thought I'd post an update. I increased the dose to 6mg a day and am so far doing really well with my mood and energy levels. The only side effect still persisting is constipation.

[Kurgan]

I took the stuff and for me it really did not seem to have any effect at any dose.

[Dean_in_Oz]

I was initally placed on a full tablet (4mgs) of edronax some years back. I had to quit it due to anxiety and restlessness.

This time around we have started with a quarter tablet, then half, then 3/4 and now a full, with a tiny amount of Luvox to counter the restlessness.

I don't want to give up on edronax as I have found it the most effective med for D that I have tried. So just looking for something to reduce the restlessness ... and giving myself time to get used to the extra energy that I have.

All the best cootie warriors,
Dean

Ps, two weeks later: the energising effect has evaporated. Seems to be an ok anxiolitic though ...

Edited by Dean_in_Oz, 28 November 2010 - 05:31 AM.

[jessicak88]

I just started taking Edronax (reboxetine).
So far it seems fine.
I started on 1mg (doc said 2mg, but after research it seems this is best taken slowly)

First day wasn't so good - brain fog, tired, hot flashes, detachment.
Second day was good. I took it with coffee - really helped. Clear headed-ish, slightly motivated, felt...good.
Third day (today) everything is fine. No complaints.

I'll up to 2mg once my last quarter is used up, then eventually report back on whether this stuff is fixing my problem: concentration problems, lack of motivation, apathy, just generally feeling "blah", fatigue, low energy.

[kaz]

i have been on edronax for about 8 years now. it has worked wonderfully for me and is weight neutral and sexually neutral, which is great. the problem is now i have developed a rapid heartbeat. the cardiologist doesnt think its the edronax, but im not so sure. has anyone else had ( or heard of ) this problem? i was taking three pillls (12mg) so i went down one and it seemed to reduce the rapid heartbeat a bit. i just went down by another half...

i also take vaben ( oxazepam),30 mg a day, and have gone down to 20 to see if that changes anything..

i would be interested in anyones experiences that are similar...