Duloxetine is an antidepressant, specifically an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Duloxetine was first approved by the FDA in 2004 and sold under the brand names Cymbalta and others.
Duloxetine is FDA approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). It is also indicated for certain other conditions related to nerve pain including diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Treatment for nerve pain is not available through our platform. Those seeking care for nerve pain should consider seeing a medical provider outside our platform to evaluate potential options for treatment.
Duloxetine is an SNRI and works by discouraging nerves in the brain (neurons) from absorbing two substances, serotonin and norepinephrine, thereby increasing their levels in the brain. This can have beneficial effects on psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression.