[Medication of the month. Duloxetine (Cymbalta)]

Duloxetine (Cymbalta is an antidepressant of the class of serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. The efficacy of duloxetine 60 mg/day has been well demonstrated in the acute and long term treatment of major depression. The level of effectiveness of duloxetine is particularly high and associated with a shorter latency of action. Duloxetine also exhibits antinociceptive properties independently of the antidepressant effect. The side-effect profile of duloxetine is particularly good and similar to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with mainly nausea. In total, duloxetine represents a real progress in the pharmacological treatment of major depression.