title: Duloxetine: a serotonin-noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.
abstract: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the accidental leakage of urine associated with physical activities such as running, jumping or lifting or with sneezing and coughing. For many patients it can be a very bothersome symptom, causing social isolation, loss of self-esteem and increased financial outlays. Although there is currently no medication approved worldwide for the treatment of SUI, a variety of off-label agents are sometimes prescribed. Duloxetine (LY-248686; Eli Lilly), a new centrally acting compound with dual activity as a serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor, offers a promising new approach for treatment. Due to its inhibition of presynaptic neuron re-uptake of serotonin and noradrenaline in the sacral spinal cord, duloxetine is believed to increase the strength of urethral sphincter contractions and thereby prevent accidental urine leakage by increasing urethral closure pressure. In three published trials in women with the predominant symptom of SUI, duloxetine significantly reduced the number of incontinence episodes compared to placebo. Adverse events were usually observed early in treatment, were mild-to-moderate in severity and were transient. Nausea was the most common reason for discontinuation.
authors.affiliation: Western Clinical Research, Inc., Torrance, CA, USA. wewedoc@aol.com
authors.forename: Norman R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Zinner
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013876:Thiophenes