Switching to duloxetine from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: a multicenter trial comparing 2...

To compare 2 methods of switching selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) non-responders or partial responders to duloxetine.

Adult outpatients with DSM-IV major depressive disorder, a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D(17)) total score of >or= 15, and a Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness score of >or= 3 despite at least 6 weeks of SSRI treatment were randomly assigned to either abrupt discontinuation of SSRI immediately followed by initiation of duloxetine (direct switch [DS]; N = 183) or tapered discontinuation of SSRI over 2 weeks and simultaneous administration of duloxetine (start-taper switch [STS]; N = 185). Efficacy, safety, and tolerability outcomes associated with these 2 switch methods were compared following switch and after 10 weeks of duloxetine treatment. The study was conducted from August 2004 to March 2006.

There was a significant improvement in depressive symptom severity in both switch groups as measured by mean change in HAM-D(17) total score (p

Switch to duloxetine was associated with significant improvements in both emotional and painful physical symptoms of depression and was well tolerated and safe, regardless of which of the switch methods was used.

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00191932.