title: Prescribing patterns of duloxetine in France: a prescription assessment study in real-world conditions.
abstract: Duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved in the European Union for the treatment of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults. This study aimed to assess the real-world conditions of duloxetine use in France. Between April 2009 and January 2010, 290 dispensing pharmacies, randomly selected from a nationally representative list, included 1,104 patients who presented a duloxetine prescription and consented to the study. Demographic, clinical, and prescription data were extracted from pharmacy records and requested from prescribing physicians. Of the 294 patients with full data available, the mean age (standard deviation) was 54.5 (13.5) years; 74.1% were female; and 86.7% presented with a renewal prescription. 73.5% of patients had major depressive disorder; 3.4% generalized anxiety disorder; and 3.4% diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. Overall, 78.2% (95% CI: 73.1; 82.8) of patients received duloxetine for an EU-approved indication; 95.2% (95% CI: 92.1; 97.4) of patients had no contra-indication to duloxetine; and 99.0% (95% CI: 97.0; 99.8) received an approved dose. Combining these three criteria, the overall approved use of duloxetine was 73.7% (95% CI: 68.3; 78.7). The strengths and limitations of the study design are discussed.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Augendre-Ferrante
authors.forename: Hernan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Picard
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Hafida
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arkoub
authors.forename: Sireesha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pamulapati
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perrot
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valensi
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rouillon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D000075202:Contraindications; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004363:Drug Utilization; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride