Duloxetine in the treatment of adolescents with somatoform disorders: a report of two cases

Authors

  • Inés García-Martín Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicología Médica Unidad de Psiquiatría Infantil y Adolescente Clínica Universidad de Navarra
  • Eva Mª Miranda-Vicario Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicología Médica Unidad de Psiquiatría Infantil y Adolescente Clínica Universidad de Navarra
  • César A. Soutullo Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicología Médica Unidad de Psiquiatría Infantil y Adolescente Clínica Universidad de Navarr

Keywords:

Duloxetine, Childhood, Adolescence, Somatoform disorder

Abstract

Background. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of duloxetine in the treatment of children and adolescents with somatoform disorder.

Results. We describe two cases, those of an 11-year old girl and a 17-year old boy, evaluated in our Department after being studied by a Pediatrician and Neuropediatrician due to complex physical symptoms. The evaluations to rule out medical causes were normal. We diagnosed somatoform disorder. The pharmacological treatments with antidepressants, benzodiazepines, stimulants and mood stabilizers only produced brief and partial improvement. After switching the treatment to duloxetine (30 and 60 mg/day, respectively) both patients experienced a gradual improvement that was maintained at 7 and 14 months.

Conclusion. Duloxetine may be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of adolescents with somatoform disorder. Controlled trials are need.

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Published

2012-05-01

How to Cite

Inés García-Martín, et al. “Duloxetine in the Treatment of Adolescents With Somatoform Disorders: A Report of Two Cases”. Actas Españolas De Psiquiatría, vol. 40, no. 3, May 2012, pp. 165-8, https://actaspsiquiatria.es/index.php/actas/article/view/550.

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 3 (2012)

Section

Clinical Note