Moclobemide (RIMA, Aurorix, Manerix)

Brand Name: Aurorix, Manerix

Get full infomation on Moclobemide (Aurorix)

Uses of Moclobemide:

Moclobemide (Aurorix) is antidepressant - reversible inhibitor of MAO type or reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type A (RIMAs). The RIMAs agents are distinguished from the older monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) by their selectivity and reversibility.

How Moclobemide works?

Moclobemide increases the concentrations of neurotransmitters - responsible for the various mental illness like depression, which may account for the antidepressant activity of moclobemide. It is thought that depression may be linked to an imbalance of chemicals within the brain. When depression occurs, there may be a decrease in the amount of certain chemicals released from nerve cells in the brain. These chemicals are called monoamines and include noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin.

When depression occurs, there may be a decrease in the amount of chemicals released from nerve cells in the brain. These chemicals are called monoamines. Monoamines may be broken down by a chemical called monoamine oxidase type A. Moclobemide reversibly prevents monoamine oxidase A from breaking down the monoamines. This results in an increased amount of active monoamines in the brain. By increasing the amount of monoamines in the brain, the imbalance of chemicals thought to cause depression is altered. This helps relieve depression. Moclobemide may also be used in the treatment of social phobia. It is not fully understood how it works in this illness.

By increasing the amount of monoamines in the brain, the imbalance of chemicals thought to cause depression is altered. This helps relieve depression.

Moclobemide is effective and well tolerated in the long-term pharmacotherapy of social anxiety disorder with or without comorbid anxiety disorder. Moclobemide is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase-A (RIMA) and has been extensively evaluated in the treatment of a wide spectrum of depressive disorders and less extensively studied in anxiety disorders. Nearly all meta-analyses and most comparative studies indicated that in the acute management of depression this drug is more efficacious than placebo and as efficacious as tricyclic (or some heterocyclic) antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Moclobemide and Dysthymia

There is a growing evidence that moclobemide is not inferior to other antidepressants in the treatment of subtypes of depression, such as dysthymia, endogenous (unipolar and bipolar), reactive, atypical, agitated, and retarded depression as with other antidepressants limited evidence suggests that moclobemide has consistent long-term efficacy.

Important Points regarding Moclobemide:

As the safety and effectiveness of moclobemide in children below the age of 18 have not been established, pediatric use is not recommended.

The possibility of suicide in depressed patients is inherent in their illness and may persist until remission occurs. Therefore, patients must be carefully supervised during all phases of treatment with moclobemide. Prescriptions in potentially suicidal patients should be written for a limited supply only.

Treatment with a tricyclic antidepressant may be initiated following the discontinuation of moclobemide with a short washout period of no less than 2 days.

Excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided.

Clinical trials with moclobemide have shown inconsistent effects on the blood pressure of hypertensive patients. Therefore, careful monitoring is recommended during initial treatment.

I have been given a number of other ant-depressants to trial but all cause me terrible side effects. I have now been on Aurorix (Arima} for 9 years and will be going back on it in 3 days time again. I have been given Lexapro & Tryptanol to try over the past month by my psychiatrist. Unfortunately neither medication agreed with me. Looks like Aurorix is the only medication I can take. I live in New South Wales, Australia. - Amba