Aurorix (Moclobemide 300mg) Tablets

Aurorix general information

What is Aurorix used for?

Aurorix tablets 300mg are used to treat depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, dysphoria (unpleasant or uncomfortable mood), loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  Aurorix tablets 300mg are also used to relieve symptoms associated with social phobia or social anxiety disorder, which is the fear of social situations that involve interaction with other people and can affect daily activities and relationships with others.  Social anxiety disorder can lead to physical symptoms including tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), gastrointestinal upset, nausea, dizziness, light-headedness and confusion. 

How does Aurorix work?

Aurorix tablets 300mg contain the benzamide derivative moclobemide, an antidepressant that acts as a short-acting, reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA), the enzyme that metabolises and inactivates (by a process of deamination) neurotransmitters (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) in the brain.  There are two forms of monoamine oxidase; type A and type B.  Type A monoamine oxidase preferentially inactivates monoamine neurotransmitters which include norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin.  A chemical imbalance of brain neurotransmitters is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack serotonin, which controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  Moclobemide in Aurorix tablets 300mg specifically inhibits type A monoamine oxidase, thereby increasing the concentration of the monoamine neurotransmitters outside the neurones (nerve cells) of the brain and making them available for longer so that nerve cells can continue to communicate with each other to stimulate nerve pathways that control mood.  This action of moclobemide restores the balance of neurotransmitters in brain, which helps relieve symptoms of depression and social anxiety disorder.  Moclobemide in Aurorix tablets 300mg does not have sedative properties, however, the quality of sleep associated with depression improves within days, without impairing alertness.

What does Aurorix contain?

Aurorix tablets 300mg contain the active ingredient moclobemide 300mg, an antidepressant used to treat depression and social anxiety disorder.  They also contain lactose, maize starch, polyvidone, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, ethylhydroxypropylcellulose, ethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, talc and titanium dioxide (E171). 

Treating depression with Aurorix

Aurorix tablets 300mg contain moclobemide, an antidepressant that is used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  Moclobemide acts directly in the brain and is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA), the enzyme that inactivates brain monoamine neurotransmitters (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate), which include norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters.  A chemical imbalance is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack serotonin of which controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  Moclobemide in Aurorix tablets 300mg specifically inhibits type A monoamine oxidase, thereby increasing the amount monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain and making them available for longer to stimulate nerve pathways that control mood.  This action of moclobemide in Aurorix tablets 300mg restores the balance of neurotransmitters in brain, which helps relieve symptoms of depression. 

Aurorix for social anxiety disorder

Aurorix tablets 300mg contain moclobemide, an antidepressant that is also used to treat symptoms of social anxiety disorder, which is the fear of social situations that involve interaction with other people and can affect daily activities and relationships with others.  Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include anxiety and difficulty socialising and can lead to physical symptoms including tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).  Moclobemide in Aurorix tablets 300mg acts directly in the brain and is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA), the enzyme that inactivates brain monoamine neurotransmitters (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate), which include norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters.  Moclobemide specifically inhibits type A monoamine oxidase, thereby increasing the amount monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain and making them available for longer to correct the chemical imbalance that is thought to contribute to symptoms of social phobia.  

What are the side effects of Aurorix?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Aurorix tablets 300mg include dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, headache, insomnia, sleep disturbance, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, dizziness, visual disturbances, paraesthesia, skin rash, hypotension (low blood pressure).

When should Aurorix not be used?

You should not use Aurorix tablets 300mg if you:

• are allergic to moclobemide or any ingredients in Aurorix
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have acute confusional state
• have phaeochromocytoma a tumor of the adrenal glands
• are taking medicines that interact with Aurorix, including: selegiline for Parkinson’s disease, opiate analgesics like pethidine, cimetidine for peptic ulcers, other antidepressants, particularly the tricyclic clomipramine, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, sympathomimetics like the decongestant and stimulant ephedrine, antihypertensives for high blood pressure

What medications interact with Aurorix?

Several medications interact with Aurorix tablets 300mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Aurorix or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Aurorix: selegiline for Parkinson’s disease, other antidepressants, particularly the tricyclic clomipramine, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan
• Drugs that affect Aurorix: cimetidine for peptic ulcers
• Drugs that are affected by Aurorix: opiate analgesics like pethidine, sympathomimetics like the decongestant and stimulant ephedrine, antihypertensives for high blood pressure

How should Aurorix be taken?

You should take your Aurorix tablets 300mg with a glass of water and after food, 2-3 times daily.  The dose you take depends on your condition and what you are being treated for and should be according to your doctor’s recommendations.  Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose, depending on how well you respond and any side effects.  You may not see any benefit for up to 2 weeks, but you should continue to take your Aurorix tablets 300mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.  You should avoid tyramine-rich foods such as mature cheese, yeast extracts and fermented soya bean products while you are taking Moclobemide tablets 300mg.

How long should you take Aurorix?

You should continue to take your Aurorix tablets 300mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for several weeks or months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. 

Missed dose of Aurorix

If you miss a dose of Aurorix tablets 300mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Aurorix be stored?

You should store your Aurorix tablets 300mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.