Duloxetine pharmacokinetics are similar in Japanese and Caucasian subjects

Aims To compare single- and multiple-dose duloxetine pharmacokinetics between healthy Japanese and Caucasians. Methods Twenty-four subjects of each race were given single oral doses of duloxetine (20, 40 and 60 mg) in a randomized, double-blind study. Another 20 subjects of each race received 20, 40 mg or placebo (2 : 2 : 1) twice-daily for 5 days. Results Following single doses, the mean duloxetine C-max and AUC were approximately 20% greater in Japanese. This difference could be explained by the 15% lower average body weight in Japanese. Similar results were observed following multiple dosing. Conclusion Duloxetine pharmacokinetics are not meaningfully different between Japanese and Caucasians.