Use of duloxetine in patients with an anxiety disorder, or with comorbid anxiety and major depressive disorder: a review of the literature.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Except for generalized anxiety disorder, few reports have been published on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of duloxetine in patients with anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with major depressive disorder (MDD). AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: The literature search in Medline (dating back to 1966) and Embase (dating back to 1988) databases was conducted using the OVID interface on 9 April 2009, restricted to any article or abstract in English, per title, reporting any information on the use of duloxetine in patients with any anxiety disorder with or without concomitant MDD. A systematic review approach was taken. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: The reader will gain knowledge of the current data available on the use of duloxetine to treat patients with anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with MDD. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Duloxetine could be considered an effective treatment option in the treatment of anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with each other, or with MDD; however, apart from the well-demonstrated efficacy, tolerability and safety of duloxetine in the treatment of MDD with or without anxiety and GAD, data on this subject are preliminary and very limited, and more research is warranted.