VERIFIED CONTENTAuthor: Karolina Porowska

Duloxetine is an organic chemical compound with a complex pharmacological profile and specific mode of action. Chemically, it is difficult to compare it with drugs from the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), because it is a derivative of one of the organic compounds called thiofuran. In 2004, the drug was approved for use in the United States by Eli Lilly and Co. The same year, the drug was introduced to the market by the European company Lilly. Duloxetine can be purchased by prescription as gastro-resistant tablets or gastro-resistant capsules.

Composition of duloxetine

Tablet(Depratal, 30 mg) contains the active substance duloxetine (as hydrochloride), excipients: compressible sugar (Compressuc MS), corn starch, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer (1: 1), dispersion 30%, triethyl citrate, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), simethicone, emulsion.

The capsule(Dutilox, 30 mg / 60 mg) contains the active ingredient duloxetine (as hydrochloride).

Excipients:

  • 30 mg: Each gastro-resistant hard capsule contains approximately 59.6 - 67.8 mg of sucrose;
  • 60 mg: Each gastro-resistant hard capsule contains approximately 119.2 - 135.6 mg of sucrose; hypromellose, talc, titanium dioxide (E 171), methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer (1: 1), 30% dispersion, triethyl citrate, granular sucrose, sucrose, gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), indigo carmine (E 132), water cleaned.

How duloxetine works

Duloxetine works mainly by reducing the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Duloxetine binds strongly to the neurotransmitter proteins serotonin and noradrenaline, thus increasing their levels early in treatment.

Later, however, it appears that the treatment does not permanently alter the basic pattern of serotonin and norepinephrine production, so that the drug's effect on these neurotransmitter systems resembles a natural physiological process.

In addition, it is also a drug with an effectselective in terms of neurotransmitter activities. It has no significant effect on such neurotransmitter systems as the muscarinic, histamine or adrenergic systems.

Duloxetine use

Duloxetine has been used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorders, relieve pain and tingling in diabetic neuropathy, in women to prevent moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence, to treat long-term pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness, in fatigue or in difficulty falling asleep.

Indications for the use of duloxetine

It is recommended to use the drug in the treatment of mental disorders and in the treatment of pain caused by nerve damage.

Contraindications to the use of duloxetine

Do not use the drug if you are allergic to duloxetine or to any of the modules listed in the drug formulation. It is not recommended to use the drug in elderly patients and in people with liver and kidney disorders.

Duloxetine dosage

The drug should be used as described in the patient information leaflet or according to specific guidelines and recommendations of a doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Precautions

Take special care when using duloxetine in patients with:

  • mani episodes,
  • seizures,
  • with increased intraocular pressure or at risk of acute narrow-angle glaucoma.

When taking duloxetine, be careful about the development of a serotonin syndrome, which may occur, especially when other serotonergic medicinal products are used concomitantly.

Side effects of duloxetine

Duloxetine may cause:

  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • vomiting,
  • excessive daytime sleepiness,
  • insomnia,
  • excessive sweating,
  • palpitations,
  • trembling,
  • lethargy,
  • anxiety,
  • hypertension,
  • indigestion,
  • blurred vision,
  • muscle spasms,
  • rash,
  • flatulence,
  • constipation and others.

Interaction with other drugs and diseases

In order to avoid undesirable ailments, inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications that are currently or recently used, as well as about medications that the patient is going to use.

You should also inform your doctor about your current he alth condition, or about any additional illnessesailments we struggle with.

The concomitant use of preparations based on St. John's wort, anticoagulants and selective, reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as moclobemide and substances acting on serotonergic receptors is not recommended.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Before taking the drug, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The use of duloxetine while pregnant or breastfeeding is generally not recommended.

Storing medicine

The drug should be stored in a suitable place that is invisible and inaccessible to children.

Store in a dry place below 30 ° C in the original packaging. The drug should not be used after the expiry date stated on the package. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

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