Duloxetine: a new serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of depression.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have evaluated and demonstrated the efficacy of duloxetine as an antidepressant in patients with major depressive disorders. The drug has been noted to be well tolerated and effective in the control of depressive symptoms. In addition, duloxetine has been shown to be better than placebo and as effective as paroxetine as an antidepressant and also better than placebo for reducing pain in both experimental models and patients. Duloxetine is a safe and well-tolerated new treatment option for depression including anxiety and painful physical symptoms. Furthermore, duloxetine has proven robust efficacy in stress urinary incontinence.