Eli Lilly's duloxetine (Cymbalta) received FDA approval for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Duloxetine is a balanced reup-take inhibitor of both serotonin and norepinephrine.
According to Eli Lilly, duloxetine's dual-action serotonin and norepinephrine may particularly help depressed patients who experience the common physical symptoms of the disease, such as vague aches and pains.
Duloxetine was safe and effective in placebo-controlled clinical trials involving over 6,000 adults with major depression. The safety and efficacy of duloxetine in children, however, have not been studied.
Duloxetine capsules can be taken once daily. Patients already taking thioridazine, or those taking or having recently taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors should not take duloxetine.