Oral Duloxetine as a Premedication for Postoperative Pain Control

"Preoperative Oral Duloxetine: Does it Affect Duration of Spinal Anesthesia and Early Postoperative Pain After Arthroscopic ACL Repair?" a Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind Controlled Trial

The purpose of the study is to use duloxetine as premedication in Anterior cruciate ligament repair under spinal anesthesia and evaluate the effect on onset and duration of spinal anesthesia and postoperative pain control.

We designed this randomized, double-blind study to evaluate the effectiveness of administration of oral duloxetine 2 hours preoperatively on the onset and the duration of the spinal anesthesia in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair and the role of duloxetine on postoperative analgesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists I or II.
• Sex: Both sexes.
• Age between 18 and 50.
• Height 155-180 cm.
• Patients scheduled for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair under spinal anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Declining to give written informed consent.
• History of allergy to the medications used in the study.
• Had a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Taking opioids or sedative medications.
• Inability to communicate with patients to evaluate the postoperative pain.
• Need for postoperative ICU hospitalization.
• Hepatic or renal failure.
• Patients with a history of taking duloxetine or any SSRIs.
• Contraindications to regional anesthesia (including coagulopathy and local infection).
• Psychiatric disorders with antipsycotics or antidepressants (tricylic or MAOIs).
• Antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel) or anticoagulant (warfarin).
• Quinolones (ciprofloxacin).