The creation of new drugs to combat all types of diseases and disorders, both psychological and physical, is a dynamic process in which any drug can be removed from the market almost as quickly as it was put on it. Whether for economic reasons or in relation to the company’s profits, 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 method of administration, as well as its possible side effects and the precautions that those who consumed it should take.
Viloxacin, known commercially under the names Vivalan, Emovit, Vivarint and Vicilan, It was an antidepressant drug whose main active ingredient was a morpholine derivative 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, achieving quite a bit of fame 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 American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it was granted a designation for the treatment of narcolepsy and cataplexy. However, it was withdrawn from markets around the world in 2002, citing commercial reasons.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 enhanced 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 discovered that, in rats, it very effectively regulated the GABAergic receptors in 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 person who suffers from it experiencing a constant, acute feeling of negative emotions like sadness and anguish.
Depression is often accompanied by low self-esteem, loss of interest in activities that were usually pleasant or attractive, decreased energy, and unexplained pain.
While in milder cases depression can appear intermittently, alternating periods of depression and periods of emotional stability. While in the most serious cases the person presents symptoms permanently; including faulty beliefs or even visual or auditory hallucinations.
Major depressive disorder can significantly and negatively interfere with the patient’s daily life; modifying your routines, your eating habits, your sleep cycles and your general health. The person’s decline can be so serious that between 2 and 7% of people with depression resort to suicide as a way to eliminate the suffering suffered.
Viloxazine was sold in the form of tablets for oral administration. Usually, it recommended taking daily doses of between 50 and 100 milligrams, once every 8 or 12 hours and, if possible, accompanied by some food. Furthermore, the last dose had to be ingested, preferably, before 6 p.m.
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 that of any other medication, the patient should independently alter the doses indicated by the medical professional, since these adjust to the needs or condition of the patient. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the patient will experience serious side effects such as sudden mood swings, among many other symptoms.
Due to the way viloxazine works, In most cases, pharmacological treatment began gradually starting with lower doses which increase as the first weeks of treatment pass.
Furthermore, viloxazine should never be withdrawn abruptly, since the side effects of this interruption in the consumption of the medication could cause symptoms typical of the withdrawal syndrome such as severe headaches, increased muscle rigidity, mood disturbances, dizziness or dizziness
What were the side effects?
As with the vast majority of psychiatric medications, viloxazine also had a series of side effects that, although not always important or serious, appeared quite frequently.
In most cases, the appearance of side effects was due to a dilation 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 appearing between 10 and 25% of cases), occasional side effects (between 1 and 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 side effects of viloxacin that are somewhat rarer.
3. Rare side effects
In these strange but serious cases, treatment with viloxazine had to be stopped immediately and always under the supervision and supervision of a doctor.
What precautions should be taken during consumption?
Before starting treatment, The patient must inform his or her doctor of any special health conditions in which it was found, especially if it included cardiovascular disorders, epilepsy, liver failure or kidney failure.
In the same way, there are a series of medications that could interfere with the action of viloxazine. These included antiepileptic drugs, levodopa, theophylline or St. John’s wort.
Although there were no adverse effects of consuming viloxazine during pregnancy, it could be excreted in breast milk, so it was common to recommend not administering this drug during the last weeks of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Finally, like other antidepressant drugs, viloxazine could cause states of drowsiness and confusion so driving vehicles and operating heavy machinery was discouraged during treatment.
