Question

Your patient is prescribed duloxetine (Cymbalta) for the treatment of their chronic musculoskeletal pain. The patient Googles this medication and finds out that it is an anti-depressant. They call the clinic and ask you "why did the provider prescribe me this medication? I do not have depression. Do you think the pain is all in my head?" How do you answer this question?

Answer 1

I will answer the patient in the following ways

You do not have any depressive disorder nor you have pain in head the drug is given because you have a chronic musculoskeletal pain ( lower back pain )

Now politely tell the patient first about the disease

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is most comman between working population

It usually involve chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis

The main reason why chronic musculoskeletal pain is so comman because it can occur due to tendon and ligament rupture irritation to nerve which can be due to trauma or excessive work that's why this condition is comman in working population

Now the duloxentin is a drug which is sold under the trade name of cymbalta

It is a drug which is non narcotic pain reliver and drug is of class serotonin and norepinephrin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)

This drug was 1st approved for depression and anxiety in 2004 by FDA but in 2010 FDA has approved the drug for the use of chronic musculoskeletal pain because the drug contain serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors which increase the level of 5HT (serotonin) and NE(Norepinephrine) now these 5HT and NE are more available for CNS Receptors and enhance the body pain suppressing effect

Duloxentine is a analgesic which reduce the pain in chronic musculoskeletal pain condition

It has be proved to be beneficial in patient with chronic low back pain . the proper dose for pain relief is 60mg per day and capsule is taken whole without crushing or chewing it

Hope you find this helpful thank you ☺️?