NRI·Psychiatry - Antidepressants

Reboxetine

Major Depressive Disorder

Authority requiredPBSNRIEdronax4 mg tablet+2

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

12 mg/day

Half-life

13 h

Caution: Activation

HIGH

Caution: Sweating

SEVERE

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Concurrent MAOI use. Pregnancy Category B1.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Highly selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (NRI). Has absolutely zero effect on serotonin. Acts as an activating, 'wake-up' antidepressant for patients with severe fatigue and psychomotor retardation.

Clinical Focus

The massive noradrenaline boost acts like synthetic adrenaline on the body. High risk of tachycardia, sweating, and urinary retention.

Bottom Line

Reboxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor for depression, but has questionable efficacy compared to SSRIs and causes urinary retention, insomnia, and dry mouth.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Edronax

Oral Routes

Tablets (4 mg). Usually scored to halve.

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Major Depressive Disorder.

Off-Label

OFF

ADHD (as an alternative to Atomoxetine/Stimulants).

Clinical Place

Niche drug. Used as an adjunct to SSRIs to provide energy and focus, or as monotherapy for patients who cannot tolerate serotonergic side effects (sexual dysfunction, weight gain).

Quick reference

Class & Role

NRI — Highly selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (NRI).

Route / Formulation

Tablets (4 mg). Usually scored to halve. (Edronax)

Usual Dose & Max

Start PO 4 mg BD (morning and midday). Max 12 mg/day.

Key Indication Doses

Major Depressive Disorder: Start PO 4 mg BD (morning and midday). Max 12 mg/day. Elderly / Renal / Hepatic: Start at PO 2 mg BD. Max 4 mg/day in severe CKD/Cirrhosis.

Best Uses

Reboxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor for depression, but has questionable efficacy compared to SSRIs and causes urinary retention, insomnia, and dry mouth.

Key Risks

Genitourinary: Urinary retention/hesitancy (especially in men with BPH), testicular pain. Neurological: Insomnia (do not take at night), agitation, anxiety, intense hyperhidrosis (sweating). Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, palpitations, mild hypertension. Metabolic: Weight neutral, zero sexual dysfunction.

Key Interactions

MAOIs (Fatal hypertensive crisis). Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (Clarithromycin, Ketoconazole) spike Reboxetine levels, worsening tachycardia and urinary retention.

Monitoring

Check BP and HR at baseline and follow-up. Monitor bladder output in elderly males. No specific routine laboratory tests required.

Clinical Pearl

Patients will frequently complain of profuse, drenching sweats on Reboxetine. This is a direct physiological result of excess noradrenaline on the sweat glands, not a fever or infection. Alpha-blockers (like Clonidine) can reduce this if the drug is otherwise working perfectly.

Access

Authority requiredEdronax4 mg tablet

Brand: Edronax
PBS status: Authority required
Formulation: Tablets (4 mg). Usually scored to halve.

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.

NRI·Psychiatry - Antidepressants

Reboxetine

Major Depressive Disorder

Authority requiredPBSNRIEdronax4 mg tablet+2

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

12 mg/day

Half-life

13 h

Caution: Activation

HIGH

Caution: Sweating

SEVERE

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Concurrent MAOI use. Pregnancy Category B1.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Clinical Focus

The massive noradrenaline boost acts like synthetic adrenaline on the body. High risk of tachycardia, sweating, and urinary retention.

Bottom Line

Reboxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor for depression, but has questionable efficacy compared to SSRIs and causes urinary retention, insomnia, and dry mouth.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Edronax

Oral Routes

Tablets (4 mg). Usually scored to halve.

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Major Depressive Disorder.

Off-Label

OFF

ADHD (as an alternative to Atomoxetine/Stimulants).

Clinical Place

Niche drug. Used as an adjunct to SSRIs to provide energy and focus, or as monotherapy for patients who cannot tolerate serotonergic side effects (sexual dysfunction, weight gain).

Quick reference

Class & Role

NRI — Highly selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (NRI).

Route / Formulation

Tablets (4 mg). Usually scored to halve. (Edronax)

Usual Dose & Max

Start PO 4 mg BD (morning and midday). Max 12 mg/day.

Key Indication Doses

Major Depressive Disorder: Start PO 4 mg BD (morning and midday). Max 12 mg/day. Elderly / Renal / Hepatic: Start at PO 2 mg BD. Max 4 mg/day in severe CKD/Cirrhosis.

Best Uses

Reboxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor for depression, but has questionable efficacy compared to SSRIs and causes urinary retention, insomnia, and dry mouth.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

MAOIs (Fatal hypertensive crisis). Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (Clarithromycin, Ketoconazole) spike Reboxetine levels, worsening tachycardia and urinary retention.

Monitoring

Check BP and HR at baseline and follow-up. Monitor bladder output in elderly males. No specific routine laboratory tests required.

Clinical Pearl

Access

Authority requiredEdronax4 mg tablet

Brand: Edronax
PBS status: Authority required
Formulation: Tablets (4 mg). Usually scored to halve.

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.