Duloxetine Treatment of Major Depressive Episodes in the Course of Psychotic Disorders

During the course of psychotic disorders, patients often suffer from intercurrent major depressive episodes (MDEs), and suicides frequently occur. This constellation challenges further improvements in psychopharmacological therapy. The antidepressant duloxetine was recently introduced as a novel reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline. We provide the first reports on duloxetine treatment of MDEs in the course of psychotic disorders. In two cases this substance was successfully involved as an add-on to antipsychotic treatment consisting of clozapine or amisulpride. We achieved a response of the MDEs, as reflected by psychopathological rating scales. A significant rise in the clozapine serum level was detected, most likely because of pharmacokinetic interactions. Overall, the application of duloxetine was well tolerated; therefore, further investigations in prospective studies seem to be recommendable.

Abbreviations

CDSS:Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia

GP:Global Psychopathology

HAMD:Hamilton Depression Scale

MDE:Major Depressive Episode

PANSS:Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale

SANS:Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms

SSNRI:Selective Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor

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