Duloxetine (US brand name Cymbalta® and generic) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Here is basic information about this medication.
FDA-approved indications
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPNP)
Fibromyalgia (FM)
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Dosage
Major Depressive Disorder
Starting dose: 40–60 mg/day
Target Dose: a) Acute: 40 mg/day (20 mg twice daily) to 60 mg/day
(once or 30 mg twice daily b) Maintenance: 60 mg/day
Maximum Dose: 120 mg/day
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Adults
Starting dose: 60 mg/day
Target Dose: 60 mg/day once daily
Maximum Dose: 120 mg/day
Elderly
Starting dose: 30 mg/day
Target Dose: 60 mg/day once daily
Maximum Dose: 120 mg/day
Children (7-17 yrs)
Starting dose: 30 mg/day
Target Dose: 30–60 mg/day once daily
Maximum Dose: 120 mg/day
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain
Starting dose: 60 mg/day
Target Dose: 60 mg/day once daily
Maximum Dose: 60 mg/day
Fibromyalgia
Starting dose: 30 mg/day
Target Dose: 60 mg/day once daily
Maximum Dose: 60 mg/day
Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Starting dose: 30 mg/day
Target Dose: 60 mg/day once daily
Maximum Dose: 60 mg/day
Dosage forms and strengths (USA)
Delayed-release capsules: 20mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg
Use in special populations
Renal impairment: OK in mild/moderate renal impairment. Avoid in severe renal impairment (Lobo et al., 2010; Prescribing Information).
Important! Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.
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References
Prescribing information for duloxetine (Cymbalta®)
Lobo ED, Heathman M, Kuan HY, Reddy S, O’Brien L, Gonzales C, Skinner M, Knadler MP. Effects of varying degrees of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of duloxetine: analysis of a single-dose phase I study and pooled steady-state data from phase II/III trials. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2010 May;49(5):311-21. PubMed PMID: 20384393.
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