Duloxetine: uses and side effects of this drug

This psychopharmaceutical has been shown to be very effective in disorders such as major depression.

Pharmacological science is advancing every day to create more and more effective drugs with fewer side effects. One of these recently created drugs is duloxetine, which was first marketed in the United States.which was first marketed in 2004.

Throughout this article we will discuss the properties and mode of action of this antidepressant, as well as the disorders in which it is used.as well as the disorders in which it is administered, its side effects and the precautions to be taken into account by those who take it.

What is duloxetine?

Duloxetine, commercially known as Cymbalta, is an Antidepressant included in the category of Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors, or SNRIs. As such it exerts an effect on the levels of these two neurotransmitters, which work by regulating people's mood.

The good tolerance of duloxetine has made it a drug of choice for the treatment of major depression and for combating the symptomatic pain of diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia.

Research into the efficacy of this drug has shown that the usefulness of duloxetine in the treatment of major depression and to combat the pain has shown that the usefulness of duloxetine is superior to that of other antidepressant drugs thanks to its dual mechanism of action. Thus, it is more effective than traditional Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) when it comes to encompassing and reducing the intensity of symptoms and therefore achieving a much more successful remission.

Finally, like other antidepressant drugs in this category, it also exerts a slight dopamine reuptake inhibitory effect.which makes it a fairly complete antidepressant.

What disorders is it used for?

The disorders and conditions for which an antidepressant such as duloxetine is administered are varied and range from psychological disorders such as major depression and generalized anxiety disorder; to physical illnesses such as pain caused by peripheral neuropathic conditions, chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia.

In addition, it is also prescribed in the early stages of it is also prescribed in the early stages of stress urinary incontinence. stress urinary incontinence. This type of incontinence is one in which the person suffers some urine leakage while performing physical or exertional activities. They can also appear when coughing, lifting a heavy object or performing any physical effort.

In any case, the use of this drug can only be given by medical indication, and it is also essential to follow exactly the indications given by the professional.

1. Major depression

In major depression, the patient presents a symptomatology that characterized by a low, invasive and persistent moodinvasive and persistent. It is usually accompanied by a low self-esteem and anhedonia or the lack of interest and joy in activities that before the depression were perceived as pleasant.

2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This condition is distinguished by causing in the person persistent feelings of fear and worry related to any aspect of daily life. The person is completely incapable of controlling this uneasiness which ends up generating other physical and psychological discomforts and interfering with the patient's daily activities.

3. Peripheral neuropathic pain

The neuropathic pain is that product of an injury or a disease that acts on the somatosensorial system. Its main symptoms are: allodynia or when a harmless stimulus provokes a disproportionate pain response, and hyperalgesia or when a mild painful stimulus produces an accentuated pain reaction.

4. Chronic low back pain

Duloxetine has also proved to be very effective in the treatment of pain caused by chronic low back pain. This pain appears in a localized manner at the level of the lumbar region of the spinal column and should present of the spinal column and must last for more than three months.

5. Osteoarthritis

The pain caused by osteoarthritis is caused by damage to the cartilage that lines the end of the bones in the joints.. This causes direct friction of the bones which results in pain, swelling and impaired joint movement.

6. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is distinguished by the following characteristics causing a pain of musculoskeletal type in those patients who suffer it, without this one has an organic origin that justifies it.

How is this drug administered?

Duloxetine is produced in delayed-release capsules to be taken orally. This means that the active ingredients are not the active ingredients are not released until they reach the intestines and thus bypass the gastric acids in the stomach that could interfere and spoil the effect of the medication.

The treatment will begin gradually, initially administering a low dose which will be increased once a week. In the treatment of anxiety, normally the amount will be one or two doses a day, depending on the patient's condition, while in the rest of the cases, doctors usually prescribe only one dose a day. doctors usually prescribe only one dose per day..

In either case, the patient must follow the instructions given by the doctor to the letter. In none of the cases the patient will be able to vary the dose on his own, nor take it more times than indicated.

What are the side effects?

Like other serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, duloxetine has side effects, duloxetine has a large number of side effects.. However, they are not all serious and are more bearable than those caused by other antidepressants. Moreover, they are significantly reduced if taken with food.

Unwanted side effects can be divided into serious and non-serious. In the former, the patient should contact his physician if they become aggravated or prolonged in time, while in the latter, he should report them immediately.

Non-serious side effects

The side effects of duloxetine that are considered not serious are the following.

• Gastric problems.
• Vomiting.
• Lack of appetite..
• Dry mouth.
• Urination problems.
• Dizziness.
• Headaches.
• Sweating and/or night sweats.
• Feeling of fatigue.
• weakness
• Drowsiness.
• Muscle pain and/or spasms.
• Alteration of sexual desire and/or ability.
• Uncontrollable tremors.

Serious side effects

This psychotropic drug also has other side effects of greater severity. They are the following.

• Skin alterations and itching.
• Bleeding and/or bruises without apparent cause.
• Inflammation of the abdomen.
• Yellowish eye coloration..
• Dark urine.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Confusion.
• Vision problems.
• Fever.
• flu-like symptoms
• Blisters, rash and/or hives..
• Breathing and swallowing problems.
• Swelling in various areas of the body.
• Hoarseness.

Precautions to take into account

It is necessary for the patient to report any allergy, illness, disease, condition or special health condition that could interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment.

In addition, any medication, vitamin supplement or natural complex that the patient is taking at the time of starting treatment with duloxetine should also be reported, as well as the patient's alcohol consumption habits.

Due to the sedative effects of this antidepressant, patients may experience confusion or impaired judgment.Therefore, they should avoid or take special precautions when driving or operating heavy machinery.

In cases of pregnancy and lactation it should only be administered in those cases in which it is demonstrated that there is no risk for the fetus or the baby, since duloxetine can be excreted in breast milk.