Duloxetine for Chronic Low Back Pain

Evidence and Recommendations

• The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline (2022) recommends duloxetine for chronic low back pain in patients who have had an insufficient response to nonpharmacologic approaches such as exercise 1
• Duloxetine's efficacy for chronic low back pain is supported by FDA approval, with clinical trials showing small to moderate benefits for pain and function, as noted by the Annals of Internal Medicine 2

Pharmacological Characteristics

• Unlike opioid medications, duloxetine does not have significant abuse liability 3