Treating Major Depressive Disorder with Duloxetine
Duloxetine is a medicine to treat major depressive disorder. It helps to cure anxiety disorder, nerve pain in case of diabetes patients. It even gives relieve in fibro-myalgia. Duloxetine belongs to the class of SNRI drugs for treating depression and other disorders. It is helpful in arthritis and chronic back pain.
HISTORY:
Lilly researchers discover Duloxetine. Four persons including the co-discoverer of fluoxetine were inventors on the patent application. They filled it in 1986 and was granted in 1990. In 2001, Lilly filled a new drug application for this drug with the USA FDA. It got approval for various disease – see the step by step below;
YEAR APPROVAL
Aug 4, 2004 For the treatment of depression
Sep 7, 2004 For the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder
Feb 26, 2007 For the treatment of nerve pain related to diabetes
Nov 30, 2007 For the treatment of major depressive disorder
Jun 16, 2008 To manage fibro-myalgia
Nov 3, 2009 Treatment for maintenance of anxiety disorder
Nov 5, 2010 For the treatment of chronic muscles and skeleton pain
As you can see it got approval for various disease slowly over the years.
DOSAGES:
It is available in the form of tablets. The strength are 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg. The Maximum dose is 120 mg per day. Dosage depends upon the disease and its intensity. This varies from person to person. Increase in dose is step by step as required by patient.
Don’t chew, crush or open tablet. Swallow it as whole with water or other liquid. Take it with or without food.
USES:
- It improves mood and sleep
- improves appetite and energy level
- Decreases nervousness
- Decreases the pain due to certain medical condition like
- Fibro-myalgia
- Chronic back pain
- Osteo-arthritis
- Stress urinary incontinence
- Major depressive disorder
- Nerve pain in diabetic patients
- It belongs to the class of SNRI drugs. This helps to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain
- It is helpful in treating some disease out of the medication guide
SIDE EFFECTS:
It can show withdrawal effects such as;
- Dizziness, Nausea
- Fatigue, Vomiting
- Insomnia, Diarrhea,
- Anxiety etc.
- It is necessary to reduce dose step by step over at least 2 weeks
Major Side Effects
In rare cases it can lead to major side effects .It is necessary to look for doctors if any of the following symptoms occur.
- Stomach pain
- Blurred vision
- Change in alertness
- Clay colored stools
- Confusions
- Faintness on getting up with speed from a lying or sitting position.
- Irregular heart beat
- Joint or muscular pain
- Tightness in chest
PRECAUTIONS:
- It is important to take special care to give the treatment in certain cases like;
- Person with kidney or liver disease
- Person with peritoneal or hemo-dialysis
- Safety is unknown in patients younger than 18 years
- It has got approval to use in patients aged 7-17 years in case of generalized anxiety disorder.
- Don’t sprinkle capsule in food
- Don’t drive or operate dangerous machinery
COST OF BRAND VERSUS GENERIC DRUG:
Generic drugs have same active ingredient as in brand drugs. It is a lower version of a brand drug. They vary in terms of packaging and pricing. The cost is 30- 80% low than brand drugs. Cost of 60 mg tablet of generic duloxetine cost $1.11. Cost of brand Cymbalta is $17 to $30 USD . There is a great difference in cost yet the generic and brand have the exact same effect on health – just not in the wallet.