AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question My friend has been put on Duloxetine for depression. He has been on it for two months and is getting bouts of nausea and dizzy spells but his doctor is away and the locum doesn't want to change his meds until the doctor comes back (which will be in a few weeks time). He has stopped taking the drugs but the depression is returning, is there any over the counter drug you can recommend in the mean time until his doctor's back?
Answer Dear Rayline
I cannot understand a locum being so bloody-minded - they are there to help not hinder. These symptoms are common with duloxetine and another antidepressant should be substituted as soon as possible. There is no OTC alternative.
