Edronax (Reboxetine Mesilate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Edronax Used For?
Edronax contains reboxetine mesilate, which belongs to a class of medications called noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing noradrenaline levels in the brain to correct chemical imbalances that contribute to depression.
Primary Uses
Edronax is prescribed to treat depression and prevent depression from returning. Depression is a serious condition that lasts longer and is more severe than normal mood changes everyone experiences due to everyday stress.
How It Works
Noradrenaline is a brain chemical that helps regulate mood. Edronax increases noradrenaline levels, which helps correct the chemical imbalance in parts of the brain that cause depression symptoms.
Good to know: Most antidepressants take time to work, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away. Some symptoms may improve after two weeks, but it may take four to six weeks to feel the full benefits.
How to Take Edronax
Take Edronax exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. The tablets can be broken in half along the breakline if your doctor has prescribed a half tablet.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: The usual dose is 4 mg taken twice daily. After 3 weeks, your doctor may increase the dose up to 10 mg per day if needed. Patients over 65: Starting dose is 2 mg twice daily, which may be increased up to 6 mg per day after 3 weeks. Patients with kidney or liver problems: Starting dose is 2 mg twice daily. Take once in the morning and once at night, at about the same time each day. It doesn’t matter if you take it before or after food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased sweating
- Dizziness
- Eye problems
- Difficulty passing urine
- Sexual problems
- Stomach pain
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Decreased appetite
- Altered taste
- Restless leg syndrome
- Hair and skin problems
- Skin flushing
- Irritability
- Testicle pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Fits or seizures
- Chest pain
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Aggressive behavior
- Heart rhythm changes with fainting
- Itching skin rash or hives
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or body
- Anxiety and agitation
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Frequent infections with fever
- Coldness or loss of blood to extremities
- Involuntary muscle movements or tremors
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Edronax. Some people should not take this medication, and others need special monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Edronax
Do not take Edronax if you are allergic to reboxetine or any ingredients in the medication, if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, or if you have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye). This medication is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years old.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, fits or seizures, severe mood swings (bipolar disorder), suicidal thoughts or behavior, difficulty passing urine, prostate disease, heart problems including high blood pressure (especially if over 65), heart failure, recent heart attack, or an overactive thyroid gland.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. Edronax is not recommended while breastfeeding as it’s unknown if the medication passes into breast milk.
Suicide Risk: Young adults under 24 years are more likely to experience worsening depression and suicidal thoughts during the first few months of treatment. Watch for thoughts of death, self-harm, increased aggression, or irritability, especially in the first 1-2 months or when doses change.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Edronax and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
- Blood pressure medications
- Antifungal or antibiotic medications
- Carbamazepine and phenobarbital (seizure medications)
- Potassium-depleting diuretics (fluid removal medications)
- Fluvoxamine (depression medication)
- Ergot derivatives or triptans (migraine medications)
- Other depression medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs)
- Pain medications (opioids)
- Mental health medications (tryptophan, buspirone)
- St. John’s Wort
Alcohol & Driving
Edronax can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions until you know how the medication affects you.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. The interaction between Edronax and alcohol should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful when driving or operating dangerous machinery until you know how Edronax affects you. Like other depression medications, Edronax may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Make sure you know how you react before driving or doing anything potentially dangerous.
Storage
Keep Edronax tablets in their original blister pack until it’s time to take them, as they may not keep well if removed early. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C (77°F). Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground. Take expired or unwanted medication to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Edronax, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. Do this even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most antidepressants take time to work. Some symptoms may improve after two weeks, but it may take four to six weeks to feel the full benefits of Edronax. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Edronax before or after food. Take it at the same time each day for best results.
Do not stop taking Edronax or change the dose without your doctor’s advice. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel well, as it helps control your condition but doesn’t cure it.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. The interaction between Edronax and alcohol should be discussed with your healthcare provider before consuming alcohol.
Yes, but elderly patients over 65 typically start with a lower dose of 2 mg twice daily, which may be increased up to 6 mg per day after 3 weeks if required. Special monitoring may be needed for heart problems.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Watch for worsening depression, especially in the first 1-2 months or when your dose changes. Young adults under 24 are at higher risk. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience thoughts of suicide, self-harm, increased aggression, or unusual mood changes.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.