What is Cymbalta® and what does it treat?
Duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (or “SNRI”) that is used to treat major depressive disorder (also, major depression or MDD). In addition, duloxetine is effective, and FDA approved, for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Key elements to both illnesses are that untreated symptoms remain in place over long periods of time, and that while untreated the person’s functioning in day–to–day life is significantly decreased. Major depression, or depression, is when a person experiences several of the following symptoms at the same time: “low” or depressed mood (for example, sad, empty, tearful), decreased interest in most or all activities, changes in appetite, changes in sleep (usually poor sleep), loss of energy, feeling worthless/guilty/ hopeless/ helpless, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of death (suicidal thinking). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is characterized by a burning or tingling sensation, usually in the hands or feet. Duloxeti
