Use of duloxetine in patients with an anxiety disorder, or with comorbid anxiety and major depressive disorder: a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Except for generalized anxiety disorder, few reports have been published on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of duloxetine in patients with anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with major depressive disorder (MDD).


METHODS
The literature search in Medline (dating back to 1966) and Embase (dating back to 1988) databases was conducted using the OVID interface on 9 April 2009, restricted to any article or abstract in English, per title, reporting any information on the use of duloxetine in patients with any anxiety disorder with or without concomitant MDD. A systematic review approach was taken.


RESULTS
The reader will gain knowledge of the current data available on the use of duloxetine to treat patients with anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with MDD.


CONCLUSIONS
Duloxetine could be considered an effective treatment option in the treatment of anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with each other, or with MDD; however, apart from the well-demonstrated efficacy, tolerability and safety of duloxetine in the treatment of MDD with or without anxiety and GAD, data on this subject are preliminary and very limited, and more research is warranted.
Mancini
Michele
M
Eli Lilly Italia SpA, Medical Deparment, via Gramsci 731, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy. mancini_michele@lilly.com
Perna
Giampaolo
G
Rossi
Andrea
A
Petralia
Antonino
A
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride