Duloxetine for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: an integrated analysis of safety

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to characterize the safety of duloxetine for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women, using an integrated database generated from four published placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Methods: The database included 1913 women randomized to duloxetine (N=958) or placebo (N=955), examining adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), vital signs, electrocardiograms, and laboratory analytes. AEs occurring initially or worsening during the double-blind treatment period were considered treatment-emergent (TEAE). Differences between duloxetine-treated and placebo-treated groups were compared statistically.

Results: Common TEAEs included: nausea (23.2%), dry mouth (13.4%), fatigue (12.7%), insomnia (12.6%), constipation (11.0%), headache (9.7%), dizziness (9.5%), somnolence (6.8%), and diarrhea (5.1%). Most TEAEs that emerged early were mild to moderate, rarely worsened, and resolved quickly. Overall AE discontinuation rates were 20.5% for duloxetine and 3.9% for placebo (P<.001). Most discontinuations (83%) occurred within the first month of treatment. SAEs were uncommon and did not differ between treatments. Statistically significant, but clinically unimportant mean increases in heart rate (2.4 bpm) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (<or=2 mmHg) occurred. No arrhythmogenic potential was observed and any rare, transient, asymptomatic increases in hepatocellular enzymes normalized.

Conclusions: Duloxetine was safe and tolerable, although transient AEs were not uncommon.