reboxetine at a glance
Medicine class
Selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor antidepressant
Licensed use
Major depression and maintenance of an initial response
Food
Can be taken with or without food
What is reboxetine used for?
UK licensed uses are:
Acute treatment of depressive illness or major depression
Maintaining clinical improvement in people who initially responded to reboxetine
How does reboxetine work?
Reboxetine selectively blocks reuptake of noradrenaline into nerve cells, increasing its availability between cells and modifying noradrenergic signalling. It has only a weak effect on serotonin reuptake and does not inhibit dopamine uptake.
reboxetine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 4 mg
How to take reboxetine
Take reboxetine exactly as prescribed.
Swallow the tablet with water; do not chew it.
It may be taken with or without food.
The scored tablet can be divided into equal halves.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the prescriber, because depression may return and withdrawal symptoms have occasionally been reported.
reboxetine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness or headache
- Dry mouth
- Constipation, nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Reduced appetite
- Agitation or anxiety
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Blurred focusing
- Difficulty or pain when passing urine
- Erectile or ejaculatory problems
Get urgent medical advice
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
- Serotonin syndrome
- Seizure
- Urinary retention
- Glaucoma or increased pressure within the eye
- Markedly low blood sodium
- Hallucinations or aggressive behaviour
reboxetine in pregnancy
Experience during pregnancy is very limited. Reboxetine should be considered only when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs possible fetal risk. Someone who is pregnant or planning pregnancy should contact the prescriber rather than stopping treatment independently.
reboxetine while breastfeeding
Reboxetine enters breast milk, although transfer appears low. Evidence is limited—including a study of only four mother–infant pairs—so breastfeeding and treatment should be reviewed with the prescriber using an individual benefit–risk assessment.
reboxetine interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about prescription, non-prescription and herbal products. Important interactions include:
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, including azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics and fluvoxamine
These can increase reboxetine concentrations; the selected SmPC says they should not be given together.
CYP3A4 inducers, including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin and St John’s wort
These may reduce reboxetine concentrations and potentially reduce its effect.
Serotonergic medicines, including SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, triptans, buspirone, tryptophan and some opioids
Combining them can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome and requires careful clinical review.
Common questions about reboxetine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can reboxetine be taken with food?
Yes. Food may delay absorption but does not materially change the total amount absorbed.
Can reboxetine cause insomnia?
Yes. Difficulty sleeping is listed as a very common adverse effect.
Can reboxetine affect urination?
More questions about reboxetine
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.