Effect of reboxetine, a new antidepressant drug, on the central noradrenergic system: Behavioural and biochemical studies

The behavioural and biochemical effects of reboxetine, an alpha-ariloxybenzyl derivative of morpholine which possesses potent antireserpine activity and selective inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake, has been studied in rats for its potential antidepressant activity. These extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that reboxetine cominbes the inhibitory properties of classical tricyclic antidepressants on the reuptake of norepinephrine with an ability to desensitize beta adrenergic receptor function. It does not have appreciable interaction with muscarinic cholinergic and alpha1 adrenergic receptors. These neurochemical characteristics suggest that reboxetine may be expected to be therapeutically effective with a lower incidence of side effects than commonly seen with tricyclic antidepressants.