In:
Future Neurology, Future Medicine Ltd, Vol. 1, No. 6 ( 2006-11), p. 713-720
Abstract:
Duloxetine is a serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor, and is hence in the same pharmacological class as venlafaxine. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated it to be effective in the treatment of depression and also that it has analgesic properties in diabetic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and depressed patients with pain. To date, there is limited published data comparing duloxetine with other antidepressants. However, what data are available suggest that duloxetine is more effective than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in severely depressed patients (although the magnitude of this difference is uncertain) and equally effective as venlafaxine. While, theoretically, a serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor may be more effective than a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in depressed patients with pain, there are no randomized, controlled trial data to support this hypothesis. Generally, duloxetine is well tolerated and there is no suggestion of the recent concerns of cardiotoxicity and toxicity in overdose that have been raised over venlafaxine. Duloxetine is an appropriate drug to consider for second-line treatment, after a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for the management of depression.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1479-6708
,
1748-6971
DOI:
10.2217/14796708.1.6.713
Language:
English
Publisher:
Future Medicine Ltd
Publication Date:
2006
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2254603-0
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