Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Duloxetine

What it is

Duloxetine is an antidepressant of the SNRI group: it keeps more serotonin and noradrenaline available between nerve cells, including in the pathways that dampen pain. It is used for depression and generalised anxiety, and for nerve pain in diabetes, fibromyalgia and long-lasting musculoskeletal pain. It is sold as Cymbalta, among other names.

How genes come into it

Duloxetine is broken down by the liver enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, and it moderately blocks CYP2D6 itself; studies have looked at CYP2D6 variants and blood levels. Most of the findings on this page come from genome-wide studies of how well it eased depression or pain, which flagged genes such as ANO2 and ZNF385D; none of them has been confirmed independently. There is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Duloxetine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (73 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

DRD3 rs324026: Level 3. Efficacy: Anxiety Disorders. 1.

DRD3 rs324023: Level 3. Efficacy: Anxiety Disorders. 1.

DRD3 rs167770: Level 3. Efficacy: Anxiety Disorders. 1.

DRD3 rs963468: Level 3. Efficacy: Anxiety Disorders. 1.

Metabolism (2 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6 poor metabolizer: CYP2D6 poor metabolizer is associated with increased dose-adjusted trough concentrations of duloxetine as compared to CYP2D6 normal metabolizer.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6*4: CYP2D6 *4/*4 is associated with increased concentrations of duloxetine in women with Depressive Disorder.

Response (85 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

rs10007051: Allele C is associated with decreased response to duloxetine in people with Depressive Disorder, Major as compared to allele T.

rs10771997: Allele T is associated with decreased response to duloxetine in people with Depressive Disorder, Major as compared to allele C.

rs10771998: Allele A is associated with decreased response to duloxetine in people with Depressive Disorder, Major as compared to allele G.

rs10771999: Allele C is associated with decreased response to duloxetine in people with Depressive Disorder, Major as compared to allele G.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Effexor (SNRIs)

Pristiq (SNRIs)

Savella (SNRIs)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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