Expert review of neurotherapeutics
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Expert Rev Neurother · Apr 2008
ReviewDuloxetine in the treatment of major psychiatric and neuropathic disorders.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most disabling disorders. Antidepressant pharmacotherapy is currently effective in approximately 70% of all treated cases; the potential superiority of a dual mechanism of pharmacological action (e.g., inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine) is widely known. Duloxetine, a novel dual acting, selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of MDD and general anxiety disorder (GAD). ⋯ Overall, duloxetine is an interesting novel treatment option in the management of major depression and has shown efficacy in a broad range of diseases. It therefore may provide additional benefit to current therapeutic options in the treatment of psychiatric, internal, as well as urological disorders such as spinal dysfunctions. Due to duloxetine's properties, a wide range of use will be encountered in the mid-to-long term.