From the Guidelines
No, Voezah is not interchangeable with duloxetine. Voezah is the brand name for dextromethorphan hydrobromide and bupropion hydrochloride, a medication approved for major depressive disorder, while duloxetine (brand name Cymbalta) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) with different active ingredients and mechanism of action. These medications work differently in the body - Voezah combines an NMDA receptor antagonist with a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, while duloxetine inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. They have different side effect profiles, drug interactions, and dosing schedules. Patients should never substitute one medication for the other without explicit medical guidance. If you're currently taking either medication, consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment regimen, as abrupt discontinuation of either drug could lead to withdrawal symptoms or worsening of your condition, as seen in studies such as 1. Some key points to consider when deciding on a treatment regimen include:
- The potential for adverse effects, such as those seen with duloxetine 1
- The importance of regular assessment and modification of treatment, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 1
- The need for explicit medical guidance when making changes to a treatment regimen.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Interchangeability of Voezah and Duloxetine
There is no direct information available on Voezah, as its generic name is not specified. However, based on the provided studies, we can discuss the properties and uses of duloxetine, which might help in understanding potential interchangeability.
Properties and Uses of Duloxetine
- Duloxetine is a potent serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and other conditions 2, 3, 4, 5.
- It has a balanced selectivity for serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, with a 10-fold selectivity for serotonin 6.
- Duloxetine is effective in the short-term and long-term treatment of MDD and GAD, with significant improvements in core emotional symptoms and painful physical symptoms associated with depression 2, 3, 5.
- It is generally well-tolerated, with common adverse events including nausea, dry mouth, headache, constipation, dizziness, and fatigue 2, 3, 4.
Potential Interchangeability
- Without knowing the generic name of Voezah, it is difficult to determine its interchangeability with duloxetine.
- If Voezah is another SNRI or a medication with a similar mechanism of action, it might be possible to consider interchangeability based on individual patient response and medical history.
- However, any decisions regarding medication interchangeability should be made by a healthcare professional, taking into account the specific characteristics of each medication and the patient's condition 2, 3, 6, 4, 5.