Evaluation of Duloxetine for Chronic Pain Conditions

Abstract

Summary Duloxetine hydrochloride (duloxetine) is used as a nonopioid analgesic for the treatment of certain chronic pain conditions. It is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and has been approved in the USA for the management of both diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. In addition, based on several studies demonstrating that duloxetine was efficacious in the management of chronic low back pain and chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis, duloxetine was approved for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Effect sizes in studies of each of the aforementioned chronic pain conditions are comparable with other commonly used pain medications. Treatment-emergent adverse events are generally mild to moderate in severity, and tend to occur early and transiently.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

PJ Mease has received grants/research support from Eli Lilly and Company (manufacturer of duloxetine) and has been a consultant for them as well. DJ Walker and K Alaka are employees of Eli Lilly and Company. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

PJ Mease has received grants/research support from Eli Lilly and Company (manufacturer of duloxetine) and has been a consultant for them as well. DJ Walker and K Alaka are employees of Eli Lilly and Company. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.