Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 959532

Shown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by weatherfreak on August 23, 2010, at 18:27:42

...when is it going to hit the shelves? It was accepted in early June and no one seems to know a thing about it.

How did it fare in Europe guys?

Was it of assistance to anyone? I love to hear your stories about it.

Thanks

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by europerep on August 24, 2010, at 3:36:16

In reply to Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by weatherfreak on August 23, 2010, at 18:27:42

agomelatine was approved in the EU at the end of 2008 if I am not mistaken, and there are some countries where it still isn't available :(.. plus, but I do not know how that would work in australia, sometimes it takes even longer before insurances will start reimbursing it... suckers...

anway, on agomelatine in general.. I asked my pdoc about it, and he said he was disappointed.. he prescribed it in a few cases according to its indication (depression with deranged circadian rhythms etc.), and it didn't work for any on the patients.. he didn't say how many it were though.. none stayed on it, and it is very expensive... BUT there are other experiences of course, so do not let yourself be talked out of trying it if that is what you aim at.. if it is approved in australia, maybe you could order it from europe (or the ukraine, or other countries where they have it) without violating any substance control laws?

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » europerep

Posted by weatherfreak on August 24, 2010, at 8:55:50

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by europerep on August 24, 2010, at 3:36:16

Thanks but the importing laws here are painful. I'll just wait until it hits the shelves here.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 24, 2010, at 16:12:22

In reply to Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by weatherfreak on August 23, 2010, at 18:27:42

>How did it fare in Europe guys?

It's not widely used.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » weatherfreak

Posted by sigismund on August 24, 2010, at 16:42:46

In reply to Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by weatherfreak on August 23, 2010, at 18:27:42

>.when is it going to hit the shelves?

The sooner the better.

It's good stuff for me.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » sigismund

Posted by weatherfreak on August 24, 2010, at 22:35:13

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » weatherfreak, posted by sigismund on August 24, 2010, at 16:42:46

Hey Sigismund, the Australian PI sheet is even available online now. It's on the TGA site yet not one single chemist I have spoken to knows anything about it yet. It got approved for use on June 3rd, so where is it?

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 24, 2010, at 23:02:06

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » sigismund, posted by weatherfreak on August 24, 2010, at 22:35:13

i'm in australia (and curious about the drug too). the sleep physician i saw who put me on neurontin for insomnia said that agomelatine was on option as well, but maybe further down the line. since the private hospital i went to was predominantly European-run, i figured they had some ties with Servier and didn't think to question him further. i did notice some Ago sample boxes perched curiously on his office shelf.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » weatherfreak

Posted by sigismund on August 25, 2010, at 1:43:00

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » sigismund, posted by weatherfreak on August 24, 2010, at 22:35:13

>so where is it?

I'll get a script and ask for it here.

It might (or might not) be at a competitive price.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » sigismund

Posted by weatherfreak on August 25, 2010, at 4:09:28

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » weatherfreak, posted by sigismund on August 25, 2010, at 1:43:00

> >so where is it?
>
> I'll get a script and ask for it here.
>
> It might (or might not) be at a competitive price.

That's my point exactly, where the bloody hell is it?

No one seems to know.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » weatherfreak

Posted by sigismund on August 25, 2010, at 22:04:16

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » sigismund, posted by weatherfreak on August 25, 2010, at 4:09:28

>That's my point exactly, where the bloody hell is it?

Not at my local pharmacy, nor in any of their books.

It probably will be more expensive that it is from Ukraine anyway.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » sigismund

Posted by weatherfreak on August 25, 2010, at 23:46:48

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » weatherfreak, posted by sigismund on August 25, 2010, at 22:04:16

> >That's my point exactly, where the bloody hell is it?
>
> Not at my local pharmacy, nor in any of their books.
>
> It probably will be more expensive that it is from Ukraine anyway.


Well maybe a call to the TGA or Servier Australia is in order, I can't understand how there is a PI Sheet for it online and it's fully approved yet know one knows absolutely anything about it. I was spelling it to pharmacists over the phone. It's not in their systems yet.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by Luds on September 2, 2010, at 1:34:02

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » sigismund, posted by weatherfreak on August 25, 2010, at 23:46:48

Weatherfreak, I too am in Australia and have been waiting for the release of agomelatine. I discovered this thread using Google and created a Babble account just to respond.

My understanding is that agomelatine was recommended for approval in June, which is different to it actually being approved. See http://www.tga.gov.au/committee/acpm/acpm0270.htm.

I've spoken to Servier in Australia. They suggested that it will be available in Australia either towards the end of 2010 or in early 2011.

Given it's the first novel medication in decades, it's understandable that we want it immediately. Its reported lack of side effects and positive reviews on forums leave me quite excited.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » Luds

Posted by weatherfreak on September 2, 2010, at 21:22:40

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by Luds on September 2, 2010, at 1:40:09

> Weatherfreak, I too am in Australia and have been waiting for the release of agomelatine. I discovered this thread using Google and created a Babble account just to respond.
>
> My understanding is that agomelatine was recommended for approval in June, which is different to it actually being approved. See http://www.tga.gov.au/committee/acpm/acpm0270.htm.
>
> I've spoken to Servier in Australia. They suggested that it will be available in Australia either towards the end of 2010 or in early 2011.
>
> Given it's the first novel medication in decades, it's understandable that we want it immediately. Its reported lack of side effects and positive reviews on forums leave me quite excited.

Thanks for the info Luds, I was going to call Servier but you saved me the time. It's a frustrating process.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by Luds on September 12, 2010, at 18:52:35

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by Luds on September 2, 2010, at 1:34:02

I have good news. I stumbled across this website and noticed it indicated agomelatine was made available in Australia on 1st September. http://www.depression.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=130

I rang my local pharmacy who advised it's not on the PBS yet but is available via a private script. She offered to ring the wholesaler who has stock, and I can pick up the agomelatine tomorrow (seeing my GP tonight). It's $59.95 for 28 tablets, but it will be added to the PBS soon enough.

I just have to ween myself off clomipramine 75mg which I've been on for a month. It's been useless, so I hope the agomelatine helps.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » Luds

Posted by sigismund on September 13, 2010, at 0:46:17

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by Luds on September 12, 2010, at 18:52:35

>It's $59.95 for 28 tablets, but it will be added to the PBS soon enough.

At the first price it will be better than it is from Ukraine.

>I just have to ween myself off clomipramine 75mg which I've been on for a month. It's been useless, so I hope the agomelatine helps.

Some people say it does and some that it doesn't. It should be different.
There are suggestions that agomelatine could be combined with a low dose SSRI for increased efficacy, though not with Luvox IIRC.
It should be more dopaminergic in feel than clomiprimine.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by Luds on September 13, 2010, at 0:55:23

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » Luds, posted by sigismund on September 13, 2010, at 0:46:17

>> I just have to ween myself off clomipramine 75mg which I've been on for a month. It's been useless, so I hope the agomelatine helps.
>
> Some people say it does and some that it doesn't. It should be different.

The only one I've ever responded to is Efexor...even doses as low as 75mg. Trouble is it always poops out. I don't understand why 75mg Efexor, which presumably only influences serotonin, can be so effective, and yet every other serotonergic medication I've tried is ineffective. If agomelatine doesn't work, I'll be trying Parnate.

> There are suggestions that agomelatine could be combined with a low dose SSRI for increased efficacy, though not with Luvox IIRC.

Yes, agomelatine's product info warns against combing it with Luvox.

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by Luds on October 10, 2010, at 23:05:59

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by Luds on September 13, 2010, at 0:55:23

I've been on agomelatine for 3.5 weeks now. I was on 25mg for the first two weeks and 50mg for the past 1.5 weeks. I've experienced no side effects or benefits. No improvement in sleep (in fact my sleep has been deteriorating due to not being on an effective medication), energy level or mood. Its lack of side effects might sound appealing, but a tic tac would give me more of a buzz.

I'm asking my doctor about Parnate this week and will see if a MAOI is what I should have started with 15 years ago. :)

For others that have been hanging out for agomeltaine (Valdoxan) to hit Australia, I hope you have more luck with it. :)

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT...

Posted by europerep on October 11, 2010, at 11:54:29

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by Luds on October 10, 2010, at 23:05:59

> I've been on agomelatine for 3.5 weeks now. I was on 25mg for the first two weeks and 50mg for the past 1.5 weeks. I've experienced no side effects or benefits. No improvement in sleep (in fact my sleep has been deteriorating due to not being on an effective medication), energy level or mood. Its lack of side effects might sound appealing, but a tic tac would give me more of a buzz.
>
> I'm asking my doctor about Parnate this week and will see if a MAOI is what I should have started with 15 years ago. :)
>
> For others that have been hanging out for agomeltaine (Valdoxan) to hit Australia, I hope you have more luck with it. :)

hmm, sorry to hear that.. I *have* read positive accounts on it here on PB though, but they are clearly in a minority..

I wonder whether it's given out to the wrong people though. I can't say anything about its impact on sleep and sleep patterns, but it just doesn't make any sense to throw it at severe TRD patients. I mean, when one has tried everything, of course one should have a go at it, but it's mode of action doesn't suggest to me to be a potential candidate for TRD therapy..
it's probably a "good first-line antidepressant", more or less as effective as others but slightly less side effects.. nothing more.

at least now you know, and the waiting/searching for it is over.. hope you'll find something better..!

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » Luds

Posted by aussie59 on July 14, 2011, at 3:29:58

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT..., posted by Luds on September 12, 2010, at 18:52:35

i have just been priscribed Agomelatine 25mg I dont know how its going to go but i will try it....My pharmacist had never heard of it and had to order it in....The price was $96.65 for 28 tablets...not exactley cheap.I am also on Effexor which hasnt helped that much with my depression but time will tell I guess.I just hope it helps with ,y sleeping pattern as well...Time will tell I guess...

 

Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » aussie59

Posted by sigismund on July 19, 2011, at 0:13:36

In reply to Re: Agomelatine finally approved for Australia BUT... » Luds, posted by aussie59 on July 14, 2011, at 3:29:58

I'm in Australia and I get it for around $60.


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