American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam

Which medication is considered appropriate for the treatment of both major depressive disorder and chronic pain?

1. Fluoxetine (Prozac)

2. Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

3. Sertraline (Zoloft)

4. Escitalopram (Lexapro)

The correct answer is: Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is recognized for its dual efficacy in treating both major depressive disorder and chronic pain conditions, particularly neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. As a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), duloxetine works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which can help alleviate both symptoms of depression and the perception of pain. This medication's unique ability to address both mood disorders and pain makes it a particularly valuable option in clinical practice, especially in patients who may present with overlapping symptoms of depression and chronic pain. In contrast, the other options listed primarily target either depressive symptoms or have limited efficacy in pain management, which is why they do not fulfill the criteria for treatment of both conditions effectively.