Effects of duloxetine in treatment-refractory men with posttraumatic stress disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Although there is evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors provide some benefit in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most meta-analytical reviews have concluded that effect sizes are small and, moreover, that there may be relatively little benefit for some populations (e. g., combat veterans with co-morbid major depression, MDD). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of the dual reuptake inhibitor duloxetine in the treatment of PTSD and co-morbid MDD.
METHODS: Twenty-one treatment refractory, male, combat-related patients with PTSD and co-morbid MDD were enrolled in a naturalistic study and twenty completed the trial. Duloxetine was given between 60 and 120 mg daily over 8 weeks.
RESULTS: Duloxetine led to a significant improvement of PTSD-characteristic symptoms as well as co-morbid MDD. Duloxetine effectively reduced nightmares, which is important because decreasing nightmares has been associated with improved sleep in PTSD. DISCUSSION: The results of this naturalistic study suggest that duloxetine is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with PTSD and co-morbid MDD. These initial results need to be extended to the study of women with PTSD.