Viloxazine: uses and side effects of this drug

The creation of new drugs to combat all kinds of diseases and disorders, both psychological and physical, is a dynamic process in which any drug can be withdrawn from the market almost as quickly as it was released he. Either for economic reasons or in relation to the benefits of the company, such as for security reasons.

This is the case of viloxazine, an antidepressant marketed for just over twenty years and which we will talk about throughout this article. In the same way, we will analyze its uses and its form of administration, as well as its possible side effects and the precautions that those who consumed it should take.

• Related article: "Psychoactive drugs: drugs that act on the brain"

What is viloxazine?

Viloxacin, known commercially under the trade names Vivalan, Emovit, Vivarint, and Vicilan, was an antidepressant drug whose main active ingredient was a morpholine derivative and that one entered categorized within the group of selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (ISRN).

This drug was discovered and launched on the market in the year 1976. During its time on the market, it was used as an antidepressant in a large number of European countries, becoming quite famous due to its

stimulant effects similar to those of amphetamines, but without the addictive effects or without the signs of dependence on them.

Although it was never granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration Drug Administration (FDA), was granted a designation for the treatment of narcolepsy and the la cataplexy. However, it was withdrawn from markets around the world in 2002, alleging commercial reasons.

Regarding its way of acting as an antidepressant, it was observed that, in animal models, viloxazine inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine in the hearts of rats and mice. Regarding the inhibition of serotonin reuptake, this drug potentiated brain functions mediated by this neurotransmitter in the same way as other more powerful antidepressants such as amitriptyline or imipramine; also not showing any anticholinergic effect.

Finally, it was also found that, in rats, it very effectively regulated GABAergic receptors in the frontal cortex of these animals.

• You may be interested in: "Types of antidepressants: characteristics and effects"

In which cases was this antidepressant used?

Viloxazine was administered, in some European countries, as the drug of choice for the treatment of depression or major depression disorder. Depression or major depressive disorder is a mental or psychological condition characterized by the fact that the person who suffers from it experiences a constant and acute feeling of negative emotions like sadness and anguish.

Depression is often accompanied by low self-esteem, loss of interest in activities that usually pleasant or attractive, decreased energy and pain without cause apparent.

While in milder cases depression can appear intermittently, alternating periods of depression and periods of emotional stability. While in the most serious the person presents the symptoms permanently; including false beliefs or even visual or auditory hallucinations.

Major depressive disorder can significantly and negatively interfere with the patient's day-to-day life; modifying your routines, your eating habits, sleep cycles and your general health. The decline of the person can become so serious that between 2 and 7% of people with depression resort to suicide as a way to eliminate the suffering suffered.

How was it administered?

Viloxazine was marketed in the form of tablets for oral administration. Usually, it recommended ingesting daily doses of between 50 and 100 milligrams, once every 8 or 12 hours and, if possible, accompanied by some food. In addition, the last dose had to be ingested, recommendably, before 6 pm.

However, in the most severe cases, the dose could be increased to 400 milligrams of viloxazine per day.

It is necessary to specify that, neither in this case nor in the case of any other medication, the patient must alter take into account the doses indicated by the medical professional, since these are adjusted to the needs or state of the patient. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the patient will experience serious side effects such as mood swings, among many other symptoms.

Due to the way viloxazine works, In most cases, drug treatment began gradually., starting with lower doses which are increased as the first weeks of treatment go by.

In addition, viloxazine should never be withdrawn abruptly, since the side effects of this interruption in the consumption of the drug They could cause symptoms typical of withdrawal syndrome such as severe headaches, increased muscle stiffness, mood disorders, dizziness or dizziness.

What were the side effects?

As with the vast majority of psychiatric medications, viloxazine also had a number of side effects that, although they were not always important or serious, appeared quite frequently frequent.

In most cases, the appearance of side effects was due to a dilation of the pharmacological action of the medication and primarily affected the central and autonomic nervous systems.

These adverse reactions could be divided into: frequent side effects appear between 10 and 25% of cases), occasional (between 1 and 9% of cases) and rare side effects (less than 1% of cases). cases).

1. Common Side Effects

Nausea. vomiting. Headache.

2. occasional side effects

These are side effects of viloxacin that are somewhat rarer.

• Constipation.
• dry mouth
• urinary retentions.
• tachycardia.
• Accommodation disorders.

3. rare side effects

In these rare but serious cases, treatment with viloxazine had to be stopped immediately and always under the supervision and surveillance of a doctor.

• Cardiac arrhythmias.
• Orthostatic hypotension.
• Worsening of anxiety.
• Agitation.
• Drowsiness or insomnia.
• Ataxia.
• Confusion.
• tremors.
• Paresthesia.
• sweating.
• Myalgia.
• mild hypertension.
• Rashes.
• seizures.
• Jaundice.

What precautions should be taken during its consumption?

Before the start of treatment, the patient had to inform his doctor of any special health condition in which it was found, especially if it included cardiovascular disorders, epilepsy, liver failure or kidney failure.

Similarly, there are a number of drugs that could interfere with the action of viloxazine. These included antiepileptic drugs, levodopa, theophylline or St. John's wort.

Despite no adverse effects of viloxazine consumption during pregnancy, it could be excreted in milk so it was usual to recommend not administering this drug during the last weeks of pregnancy and during the lactation.

Finally, like other antidepressant drugs, viloxazine could cause states of drowsiness and confusionTherefore, driving a vehicle and operating heavy machinery during treatment was discouraged.