Effect of the dual action antidepressant duloxetine in the treatment of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) is a typical patterns of functional gastrointestinal diseases. Antidepressants are firmly established in the therapeutic recommendations for the patients; however, the effectiveness of serotonin and norepinephrine selective inhibitors (SNRIs) is practically unexplored. There are results of own studies covering 55 patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (IBS and FD). Patients were given a SNRI drug - duloxetine (Cymbalta) at 60 mg daily. A significant reduction in the severity of pain and other clinical symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract, and associated, emotional and psychological symptoms, was demonstrated after 8 weeks of the therapy. Clinical remission was achieved in 75% of patients in six months, and in 25% within 6 months of the treatment. In 67% of patients the achieved effect persisted for a year after withdrawal.