Psychotropic Meds

My psychiatrist has reason to believe that the new drug, Reboxetine, will be more helpful in treating my chronic major depression.  She says that it functions much like Nortriptyline, which I took successfully but had to stop due to excessive weight gain. The problem is that the FDA has yet to permit the drug to be dispensed in pharmacies in the US.  My doctor is not one to try to get the medication for me through alternate channels, nor am I sure that my insurance would cover a non-FDA approved medication's cost.  I am taking a combination of Wellbutrin (300mg) and Effexor (375) for the time being, but it is not as helpful as the Nortriptyline.  Do you have any information about when my doctor will be able to prescribe Reboxetine for me? I have waited for at least a year now to hear of its release here.

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

Wendy,

It is unfortunate that even though Nortriptyline was helpful in treating your depression, you had to discontinue its use due to excessive weight gain. Reboxetine is currently not approved by the FDA, and I do not have any information about if and when it will be approved. There are other FDA-approved antidepressants such as Desipramine (Norpramin), which have pharmacologic actions similar to Nortriptyline, with relatively less risks of weight gain. I urge you to discuss further with your treating physician/psychiatrist.