Viloxazine: uses and side effects of this drug

This Antidepressant has been marketed for years, but is no longer sold because of its harmful effects.

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all kinds of diseases and disorders, both psychological and physical, is a dynamic process in which any drug can be withdrawn from the market almost as quickly as it was put on it. Either for economic reasons or in relation to the company's profits, or for safety reasons.

This is the case with viloxazine, an antidepressant marketed for a little over a decade. This is the case with viloxazine, an antidepressant that has been marketed for more than twenty years and which will be discussed in 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 had to be taken by those who consumed it.

What is viloxazine?

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

This drug was discovered and launched on the market in 1976. During its marketing period, it was used as an antidepressant in a large number of European countries and became quite famous due to its stimulant effects similar to those of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. stimulant effects similar to those of amphetamines, but without the addictive effects of amphetamines.but without the addictive effects or signs of dependence of amphetamines.

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 However, it was withdrawn from markets worldwide in 2002, for commercial reasons.

As for its mode of action as an antidepressant, it was observed that, in animal models, viloxazine inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine in the hearts of rats and mice. With regard to the inhibition of serotonin reuptake, this drug the brain functions mediated by this neurotransmitter in the same way as other antidepressants. in the same way as other more potent antidepressants such as amitriptyline or imipramine; it also showed no anticholinergic effect.

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

In what cases was this antidepressant used?

Viloxazine was administered, in some European countries, as the drug of choice for the treatment of depression or major depressive disorder. Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a mental or psychological condition characterized by the sufferer experiencing a constant and acute feeling of negative emotions such as sadness and distress such as sadness and distress.

Depression is often accompanied by low self-esteem, loss of interest in activities that were usually pleasant or appealing, decreased energy and unexplained pain.

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

Major depressive disorder can interfere significantly and negatively in the patient's daily life; modifying their routines, eating habits, sleep cycles and general health. and their general state of health. The person's decline can be so severe that between 2 and 7% of people with depression resort to suicide as a way of eliminating the suffering they have endured.

How was it administered?

Viloxazine was marketed in tablet form for oral administration. It was usually recommended to take daily doses of recommended daily doses of 50 to 100 milligrams, once every 8 to 12 hours.once every 8 to 12 hours and, if possible, accompanied by a meal. In addition, the last dose should be taken, preferably, before 6 pm.

However, in the most severe cases, the dose could be increased up 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 should alter on his own the doses indicated by the medical professional, since these are adjusted to the patient's needs or condition. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the patient may experience serious side effects such as sudden mood alterations, among many other symptoms.

Due to the way viloxazine works, in most cases the pharmacological treatment was initiated gradually, starting with lower dosesstarting with lower doses which increase as the first weeks of treatment elapse.

In addition, viloxazine should never be withdrawn abruptly, since the side effects of this drug discontinuation could cause withdrawal symptoms such as severe headaches, increased muscle stiffness, mood disturbances, dizziness or lightheadedness.

What were the side effects?

As with the vast majority of psychiatric medication, viloxazine also had a number of side effects which, although not always significant or serious, appeared quite frequently.

In most cases, the appearance of the side effects was due to a dilatation of the pharmacological action of the medication and mainly affected the central and autonomic nervous system..

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

1. Frequent side effects

Nausea. Vomiting. Headache.

2. Occasional side effects

These are somewhat rarer side effects of viloxacin.

• Constipation.
• Dry mouth.
• Urinary retention.
• Tachycardias.
• Disorders of accommodation.

3. Rare side effects

In these rare but serious cases, treatment with viloxazine should be discontinued immediately and always under the supervision and surveillance of a physician.

• Cardiac arrhythmias.
• Orthostatic hypotension.
• Worsening of anxiety..
• Agitation.
• Drowsiness or insomnia.
• Ataxia.
• Confusion.
• Tremors.
• paresthesias
• sweating
• Myalgia.
• Mild hypertension..
• Cutaneous eruptions.
• Convulsions.
• Jaundice.

What precautions should be taken during its consumption?

Before the beginning of the treatment, the patient should inform his doctor of any special health condition, especially if it included cardiovascular alterations, epilepsy, epilepsy, epileptic especially if this included cardiovascular alterations, epilepsy, hepatic insufficiencies or renal insufficiencies.

Similarly, there are a number of drugs that could interfere with the action of viloxazine. These included antiepileptic drugs, levodopa, theophylline and hypericum.

Although no adverse effects of viloxazine consumption during pregnancy have been reported, it could be excreted in breast milk, so it was commonly recommended not to administer this drug during the last weeks of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Finally, like other antidepressant drugs, viloxazine could cause drowsy states. could cause drowsiness and confusion.Therefore, driving vehicles and operating heavy machinery during treatment was discouraged.