Duloxetine: a new selective and dual-acting antidepressant

• Published in: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy Vol. 7; no. 4; p. 421
• Main Authors: Bauer, Michael, Möller, Hans-Jürgen, Schneider, Edith
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-03-2006
• Subjects: Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - chemistry; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacokinetics; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Animals; Antidepressive Agents - chemistry; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacokinetics; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Depression - complications; Depression - drug therapy; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Duloxetine Hydrochloride; Humans; Pain - drug therapy; Pain - etiology; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - chemistry; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacokinetics; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Thiophenes - chemistry; Thiophenes - pharmacokinetics; Thiophenes - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1744-7666
• DOI: 10.1517/14656566.7.4.421

Antidepressants that inhibit the re-uptake of serotonin and noradrenaline might offer a chance to reduce the multiple symptoms of depression, as both serotonin and noradrenaline seem to be responsible for the emotional and physical symptoms of depression. The potential superiority of a dual mechanism of action has already been demonstrated in a number of clinical trials. Duloxetine, a novel dual acting, selective serotonin and noradrenaline-re-uptake inhibitor, has demonstrated high remission rates and good efficacy on physical symptoms, especially painful physical symptoms of depression. The results from studies in diabetic neuropathic pain provide further evidence of the effect of duloxetine on pain, independent of its effect on depression. Therefore, duloxetine provides an alternative to current therapeutic options in the treatment of the different symptoms of depression.