What is the Difference Between Duloxetine and Fluoxetine?

Duloxetine and fluoxetine are both medications used to treat major depression and anxiety, but they differ in their mechanisms of action and side effect profiles. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Mechanism of action: Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), while fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This means that duloxetine works on both serotonin and norepinephrine, whereas fluoxetine primarily works on serotonin.
2. Applications: Due to its dual mechanism, duloxetine is used to treat some conditions where fluoxetine might not be as effective, such as nerve pain and fibromyalgia.
3. Side effects: Both drugs have similar side effects, but there are some differences. Fluoxetine is more likely to cause sexual dysfunction, while duloxetine can cause sensory disturbances called paresthesias. Additionally, fluoxetine may be more likely to cause insomnia than drowsiness.
4. Efficacy: A comparison of duloxetine and fluoxetine in treating depression showed that both drugs have similar efficacy, but duloxetine may have a slight advantage in terms of the number of responders. However, more research with optimal dose ranges is needed to establish a more robust comparison between the two medications.

Both duloxetine and fluoxetine have been found to have greater therapeutic effects on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than dicyclomine, with duloxetine being more effective than fluoxetine in reducing certain symptoms. However, further studies on larger groups are suggested to determine the best dosage and identify any potential differences.

Comparative Table: Duloxetine vs Fluoxetine

Duloxetine and Fluoxetine are both antidepressants, but they have some differences in their properties and effects. Here is a table comparing the two medications:

In a study comparing the effects of duloxetine and fluoxetine on constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, duloxetine was found to be more effective than fluoxetine in reducing flatulence, abdominal pain intensity, and duration. However, fluoxetine has been shown to be more effective in some cases as well.