Langtian

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Langtian

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Langtian

What is Langtian? Drug Identity and Classification

Property Description
Active ingredient Moclobemide
Form Film-coated tablets
Pharmacological class Reversible Inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase A (RIMA)
Common use Supporting emotional stability
Origin Synthetic benzamide derivative

What is Langtian? Defining the Drug Entity and Class

Langtian is a synthetic prescription medication whose active substance is moclobemide, formally classified as an antidepressant agent. This compound, a benzamide derivative, is formulated for oral intake, typically presented as film-coated tablets for systemic absorption. The precise classification of Langtian is as a Reversible Inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase A (RIMA), which is a modern subtype of the broader Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) class. Moclobemide's status as a RIMA establishes its unique position within the field of psychotropic medications.

Moclobemide’s Unique Mechanism: Selective and Reversible Action

The function of Langtian involves the selective inhibition of the MAO-A enzyme, a biological regulator responsible for the breakdown of key monoamine neurotransmitters, chiefly serotonin and norepinephrine. Clinical data indicate the efficacy of moclobemide in the treatment of depressive disorders. This means that Langtian's targeted action is a clinically recognized means of helping to correct neurochemical imbalances associated with mood conditions. The inhibition is reversible, differentiating it from older, irreversible MAOIs, confirming that its selective binding is a key feature of its pharmacological profile.

General Purpose of Langtian: Supporting Emotional Balance

By preventing the rapid metabolic clearance of serotonin and norepinephrine, Langtian ensures a higher, more sustained concentration of these chemical messengers is available in the synaptic spaces. This action forms the foundation of the drug's therapeutic benefit. The overall general purpose of Langtian is to support the brain’s ability to achieve and maintain emotional equilibrium, which aids in alleviating symptoms of dysregulated mood and emotional instability.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH DailyMed

What side effects are possible with Langtian?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Official regulatory documents classify the potential side effects of Langtian (moclobemide) according to the frequency with which they have been reported in clinical use and post-marketing surveillance. This structure helps define the drug's safety profile across various physiological systems.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The majority of documented effects are categorized as common, primarily involving the Nervous System and Gastrointestinal System. Effects are formally grouped by the System-Organ-Class (SOC) they affect, which includes Psychiatric Disorders, Vascular Disorders, and Hepato-biliary Disorders.

Classification Examples of Documented Effects
Common (Reported in 1% to 10% of users) Sleep disturbances, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Uncommon (Reported in 0.1% to 1% of users) Agitation, anxiety, visual disturbances, rash, and orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing).
Rare (Reported in 0.01% to 0.1% of users) Confusional states and severe hepatic reactions.

Serious Safety Considerations and Restrictions

Official labeling notes a risk of Serotonin Syndrome when Langtian is combined with certain other medications that increase serotonin activity. The risk of suicidal ideation and behavior is also explicitly documented, noting that this risk is generally considered to be highest at the beginning of treatment or following a change in dosage, particularly in younger adults.

Population-Specific Safety: The regulatory profile specifies limitations for certain groups. For instance, the use of Langtian is generally not recommended for individuals under the age of 18. Caution is advised, and dose reduction is specified as necessary in patients with severe liver dysfunction.

High-Level Restrictions: Langtian is contraindicated (should not be used) in patients with specific conditions, including acute confusional states or phaeochromocytoma, as per government regulatory documentation. These constraints reflect the medicine's formal safety boundaries.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose of Langtian (Moclobemide) alone is often documented in regulatory sources as resulting in minor clinical effects. Documented overdose presentations may include central nervous system effects such as drowsiness, confusion, agitation, headache, and potential physical signs like hypertension, tremors, or seizures.

However, the drug's official profile identifies the most significant risk in cases of co-ingestion with other serotonergic agents. This scenario is classified as potentially life-threatening due to the risk of Serotonin Syndrome. This severe outcome involves major effects on the Autonomic Nervous System and Skeletal Muscle, manifesting as hyperthermia, severe muscle rigidity, and circulatory instability.

Official guidance mandates that individuals seek immediate medical attention and contact a regional poison control centre in all suspected overdose cases. Urgent medical help is specifically required when signs of Serotonin Syndrome are present. Management involves immediate supportive care and close hospital monitoring, often requiring specialized care in a critical setting to manage the severe neuromuscular and autonomic manifestations.

Therapeutic Uses of Langtian

What Langtian Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Langtian (Moclobemide) is a medication that is commonly used to provide symptomatic support across key domains of mood and anxiety, focusing on easing the overall burden of distressing emotional and physical manifestations. Its use is commonly associated with the supportive management of depressive illness.

The medication is generally applied in the management of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), chronic depressive states like Dysthymia, and for symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia). It assists in easing the impact of symptom clusters involving persistent sadness, hopelessness, lack of energy, and difficulty with sustained concentration.

“Langtian helps address the debilitating fatigue and lack of drive, which may contribute to supporting motivation and functional stability.”

Langtian is considered relevant in contexts where additional symptomatic support is needed, such as during phases of heightened symptoms or when managing the typical signs of depression. This supportive relief helps patients cope more steadily with difficult episodes.


Supportive Benefit: Low Mood and Fatigue


Easing Energy Deficits and Cognitive Difficulties

The medication is relevant for managing symptom clusters involving physical manifestations and functional deficits. This is applied in managing symptoms that create noticeable functional strain, supporting the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress.

Regulatory References

  1. Health Canada Product Monograph

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Status for Langtian (Moclobemide)

The use of Langtian is defined by official regulatory labeling, which establishes specific rules for who can and cannot use the medicine.

Population Status Eligibility Rule
Approved Use Established for adult patients (18 years and older).
Absolute Contraindication Must not be used in patients with Phaeochromocytoma, those experiencing acute confusional states, or individuals with known hypersensitivity to the medication.
Use Not Recommended Safety and efficacy have not been established for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Use is also not generally recommended during pregnancy.
Conditional Use Required For patients with severe hepatic impairment (liver disease), the daily dose must be substantially reduced. Use during lactation requires careful monitoring.
Comorbidity Caution Close monitoring is required for patients with a history of bipolar disorder (due to the risk of inducing mania) or pre-existing hypertension.

This profile confirms eligibility for adults while imposing strict non-eligibility rules and conditional requirements based on organ function, age, and high-risk comorbid conditions, as stated in regulatory documents.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official interaction profile for Langtian (Moclobemide) is defined by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic constraints documented in regulatory labeling.

Contraindicated Combinations

Co-administration with numerous agents is contraindicated due to the documented risk of Serotonin Syndrome. This includes Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants, and other substances with serotonergic or MAO-inhibiting effects, such as Linezolid, Tramadol, Pethidine, and Selegiline. A mandatory drug-free interval (wash-out period) is required by regulatory documents when switching between these agents.

Metabolic and Exposure Restrictions

Langtian is documented as an inhibitor of Cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C19 and CYP2D6. This metabolic inhibition may increase the plasma concentration of co-administered drug substrates (e.g., Omeprazole). Co-administration with potent CYP inhibitors, such as Cimetidine, is officially documented to double the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Langtian, requiring a specified dose adjustment to manage exposure.

Population and Substance Cautions

In patients with severely impaired hepatic function, the clearance of Langtian is significantly slower, and regulatory documentation mandates a reduction in daily dose. The effects of systemic Sympathomimetic Agents (e.g., Ephedrine) may be intensified and prolonged. Patients are officially advised to avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and large amounts of tyramine-rich food.

Mechanism of Action

Langtian is a highly selective inhibitor of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPS), an enzyme within the mevalonate pathway located in osteoclasts.

Inhibition of GGPS prevents the biosynthesis of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). These isoprenoid lipids are essential for the post-translational lipidation (prenylation) of small GTPases, including Rho, Rac, and Rab, which regulate key intracellular processes.

By disrupting the prenylation of these proteins, Langtian prevents their proper membrane localization and subsequent activation. This leads to a fundamental alteration of the osteoclast cytoskeleton, specifically inhibiting the formation of the ruffled border and the sealing zone, structures required for acid and enzyme secretion.

The resulting cellular dysfunction effectively curtails the bone resorption process mediated by osteoclasts, leading to a modulation of bone remodeling dynamics at the tissue level.

Dosage and Administration Information

Langtian (moclobemide) is an orally administered medication, typically supplied as film-coated tablets in strengths such as 150 mg and 300 mg. The drug is used according to a standardized schedule that defines the amount, frequency, and contextual conditions for administration.

Standard protocols involve Langtian being taken in divided daily doses, usually two or three times per day. To manage systemic exposure and tolerability, the tablets are consumed after a meal or at the end of a meal and taken with fluid.

Standard Dosing Regimens

The standard starting amount for adult use is 300 mg daily. This initial amount is generally maintained for the first week of therapy. The maximum recommended daily amount for approved indications is 600 mg, representing the upper limit for the therapeutic regimen.

Population-Specific Use

Dosing guidelines for specific populations exist based on metabolic capacity. For patients with severe hepatic (liver) impairment, the daily amount is typically adjusted to one half or one third of the standard dose. Conversely, no specific dose adjustment is typically required for older adults or individuals with renal (kidney) impairment. Use is generally not recommended for pediatric patients under 18 due to a lack of clinical data.

Treatment Duration

The entire course of therapy involves an assessment period of at least four to six weeks to gauge efficacy. Once maintenance is achieved, treatment is recommended to continue for several months, and discontinuation requires a gradual tapering process.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Evidence for Use in Major Depressive Disorder

Research on Langtian for depressive illness involves numerous short-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses. These studies monitored outcomes using standardized rating scales to measure symptom intensity and change in daily functioning. Comparative trials assessed outcomes against placebo and other antidepressant classes (TCAs and SSRIs). Data contribute to understanding patterns related to measured clinical response rates, including in populations with differing clinical presentations or functional limitations. What remains less characterized are the long-term outcomes regarding the prevention of symptom return.


Evidence for Use in Social Anxiety Disorder

Research examined Langtian for acute or episodic social anxiety patterns in placebo-controlled trials. Researchers monitored outcomes using specific social phobia rating scales. While initial research described measured outcomes, subsequent, larger controlled trials described outcomes that were inconsistent or less pronounced. The evidence suggests a pattern of results that is inconsistent across the full research history for this specific indication, and certainty regarding measured outcomes remains low compared to the data for depressive disorders.


Long-Term Studies and Maintenance of Status

Long-term research explores the maintenance of measured outcomes. Open-label extension studies monitored patient status for up to 12 months. These studies described patterns observed in the maintenance of clinical status in the studied populations. However, limited information for long-term outcomes is derived from controlled, randomized trials specifically designed to assess relapse prevention.


Research in Specific Patient Groups

Studies have explored Langtian in specific patient groups, such as older adults with depression, examining symptom intensity and functional outcomes. Findings described observed profiles in comparison to placebo. Few data are available for other groups, such as children, as research has focused primarily on adults.


Evidence Gaps and Areas of Uncertainty

The overall research landscape contains certain gaps. These include lacking comparative evidence against standard therapies at the highest recommended doses, as some trials used lower comparator doses. Furthermore, evidence quality varies across studies for the anxiety indication, and long-term effects are not fully established by controlled research.

Key Studies & References

  1. Health Canada Product Monograph (Moclobemide) - Regulatory Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Langtian (FAQ)


Q: What is Langtian used for?

A: Langtian is indicated for the management of chronic, moderate-to-severe pain in adults when an around-the-clock opioid analgesic is needed for an extended period of time.


Q: How does Langtian work?

A: Langtian is an opioid analgesic. Its primary action involves binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, which is believed to alter the perception of pain by the body.


Q: What is the typical dose of Langtian?

A: Dosage for Langtian is highly individualized based on the patient's condition, prior exposure to opioids, and response to treatment. Dosing must be determined by a healthcare provider who will assess the appropriate starting dose and any subsequent adjustments. Patients should strictly follow the dose and schedule prescribed to them.


Q: Are there common side effects associated with Langtian?

  • Common side effects that may be observed include constipation, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness.
  • Serious adverse events are possible and include severe respiratory depression.
  • Patients should discuss potential risks and side effects with their prescribing doctor.

Q: Can Langtian be taken with other pain relievers?

A: Taking Langtian with other medications, particularly those that also cause sedation (like benzodiazepines or other opioids), or those that affect the central nervous system, can increase the risk of serious side effects, including severe respiratory depression. Patients should disclose all current medications and supplements to their healthcare provider before starting Langtian.


Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of Langtian?

A: Specific instructions regarding missed doses must be obtained from your prescribing doctor or pharmacist, as guidance can vary based on the specific formulation and dosing schedule. Patients should not take extra medication to make up for a missed dose.


Q: Is Langtian addictive?

A: Langtian is an opioid and has a risk of addiction, misuse, and abuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Physical dependence may also develop with continued use. Patients should use this medication exactly as prescribed to minimize these risks.


Q: How should I store Langtian?

A: Langtian should be stored securely and out of the reach of children and pets. It must be kept at room temperature, away from excessive heat or moisture. Unused or expired medication should be disposed of properly by following specific instructions from a pharmacist or local drug take-back program.

How should Langtian be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Langtian?

Langtian (moclobemide) tablets must be stored according to specific regulatory conditions to maintain stability until the expiration date.

Storage Requirements

Condition Requirement (Official Labeling)
Temperature Store below 30 C (86 F).
Container Keep in the original container/package and ensure it is tightly closed.
Protection Must be protected from light and stored in a dry place (protected from moisture).
Child Safety Store out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Unused or expired Langtian must not be disposed of in household trash or poured down the drain. Regulatory documents mandate disposal in accordance with local requirements, often requiring the medicine to be returned to a pharmacy or designated collection site for safe handling.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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