Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to duloxetine in non- or partial responders. Methods. This is a post-hoc analysis of the pooled data of the Spanish sample from an open-label, multicentre study. Additionally, a 6-month continuation safety phase was performed. Results. A total of 156 patients were switched to duloxetine from SSRIs. More than 83% completed the acute phase, of whom 75% went into the continuation phase. At baseline, the mean duration of SSRI treatment was 71.2 weeks and the HAM-D17 mean score was 22.4. In the acute-phase, symptoms severity significantly improved after 10 weeks of duloxetine treatment as measured by mean change from baseline in HAM-D17 total score (-10.5; P<0.001) and all secondary efficacy measures, including painful symptoms. Response (≥50% decrease in HAM-D17 total score) and remission rates (HAM-D17 total score ≤ 7) were 52.9 and 27.7%, respectively. The most common adverse events reported in both phases were headache (11.5% [acute]; 6.1% [continuation]) and nausea (6.4% [acute]; 5.1% [continuation]). Conclusions. In a population of Spanish SSRI non- and partial responders, switch to duloxetine was associated with significant improvement in emotional and painful symptoms of depression. Duloxetine was well tolerated and safe during both phases.
Keywords: Duloxetine; major depressive disorder; remission; response; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.