Za Pharmacy
Drugs, Supplies and Delivery
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Duloxetine, marketed under the brand name Cymbalta (not Lustral¹), is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and chronic pain conditions such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Known for its dual mechanism of action, duloxetine is effective but requires careful management due to its side effect profile. This article synthesizes information from the British National Formulary (BNF), Lippincott Textbook of Pharmacology, and Lange Basic & Clinical Pharmacology to provide a detailed overview of duloxetine, including its mechanism, uses, dosing, side effects, precautions, interactions, and availability.
Duloxetine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) at presynaptic neurons, increasing their availability in the synaptic cleft. This dual action enhances mood regulation and pain modulation:
- Serotonin: Improves mood and reduces anxiety.
- Norepinephrine: Enhances arousal and pain relief (Lippincott Textbook of Pharmacology).
Duloxetine also has mild effects on dopamine reuptake, contributing to its efficacy in chronic pain conditions (Lange Basic & Clinical Pharmacology).
