Duloxetine : A Dual Action Antidepressant

Duloxetine is an orally administered, selective norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class of antidepressant that has been approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Its chemical designation is (+)- (S)-N-methyl--(1-naphthyloxy)-2-thiophenepropylamine. Duloxetine acts through the inhibition of reuptake of serotonin (5- HT) and noradrenalin/norepinephrine (NE) at presynaptic sites. Preclinical and placebo controlled trials of duloxetine have proved that duloxetine is significantly more efficacious in the treatment of major depression. Comparative trials of duloxetine with paroxetine and venlafexine have the almost same efficacy. Similarly, with comparison of SSRI, duloxetine has shown similarity or noninferiority as compare to esitalopram in randomized trials. It is also efficacious in painful physical symptoms associated with depression at dose used for MDD during trials. Duloxetine is generally well-tolerated drug and it has already concluded that incidence of adverse events and drug interactions are less as compare to TCAs, SSRIs and other SNRIs. Duloxetine should be considered as a potential antidepressant effective in short- and long-term treatment of MDD. © 2011 IGJPS. All rights reserved