Effects of duloxetine in treatment-refractory men with posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
Although there is evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors provide some benefit in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most meta-analytical reviews have concluded that effect sizes are small and, moreover, that there may be relatively little benefit for some populations (e. g., combat veterans with co-morbid major depression, MDD). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of the dual reuptake inhibitor duloxetine in the treatment of PTSD and co-morbid MDD.


METHODS
Twenty-one treatment refractory, male, combat-related patients with PTSD and co-morbid MDD were enrolled in a naturalistic study and twenty completed the trial. Duloxetine was given between 60 and 120 mg daily over 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Duloxetine led to a significant improvement of PTSD-characteristic symptoms as well as co-morbid MDD. Duloxetine effectively reduced nightmares, which is important because decreasing nightmares has been associated with improved sleep in PTSD.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this naturalistic study suggest that duloxetine is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with PTSD and co-morbid MDD. These initial results need to be extended to the study of women with PTSD.
Walderhaug
E
E
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
Kasserman
S
S
Aikins
D
D
Vojvoda
D
D
Nishimura
C
C
Neumeister
A
A
D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans; D014857:Warfare
D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride