title: The selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor reboxetine has an early onset of antidepressant action.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most antidepressants take several weeks to demonstrate a therapeutic effect. We examined the time to onset of action of reboxetine, a unique selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor (selective NRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multinational, multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group study, 56 inpatients with major depression were randomized to receive placebo or reboxetine titrated to 10 mg/day for 6 weeks. Efficacy was principally assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reboxetine was associated with a significantly greater reduction in mean HAM-D total score from baseline to last assessment when compared with placebo. The effect of reboxetine separated from placebo at day 10 (P=0.006), indicated an early onset. In accordance with this observation, individual HAM-D item scores early showed significant improvements among patients treated with reboxetine when compared with those who received placebo: mood improved by day 10 (P=0.004), insomnia and interest in work and daily activities by day 14 (P=0.006 and 0.003, respectively) and somatic symptoms and anxiety by day 21 (P<0.001 in both cases).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reboxetine is an effective antidepressant with an early onset of action. Depressed mood is relieved first, followed by an improvement in interest in daily activities.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Versiani
keywords: Reboxetine Selective Nri Onset Placebo Comparison Clinical Trial