Duloxetine hydrochloride is the salt form of antidepressant drug duloxetine. It was successfully developed by Eli Lilly Company. Its pharmacological effect is the same as duloxetine. Duloxetine hydrochloride is a new kind of selective dual inhibitor of 5 hydroxy trptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine reuptake, and thus having antidepressant effect, while also having inhibitory effect on the central pain. Its pharmacological characteristic is being able to inhibit neuronal pre-synaptic membrane's reuptake on 5-hydroxy trptamine and norepinephrine but instead have a low inhibitory effect on the reuptake of dopamine. Duloxetine hydrochloride is indicated for depression and it is effective in treating both endogenous and non-endogenous depression as well as the feeling of pain associated with depression. It has a therapeutic dose of 60mg/d~120mg/d with a good security and fewer adverse reactions with common adverse reactions such as nausea, dry mouth, constipation, poor appetite, fatigue, sleepiness, and increased sweating. Another indication is the pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. 
Duloxetine is a selective inhibitor for 5-HT and NE reuptake (SSNRI). The exact mechanism of the anti-depression duloxetine and central analgesic effect is not yet clear. It is thought that it is related to its reinforcing effect on the function of 5 hydroxy trptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine in the central nervous system. The results of the clinical studies have shown that duloxetine is a strong inhibitor of the neuronal 5-HT and NE reuptake and has a relatively weak inhibitory effect on the reuptake of dopamine. In vitro studies have showed that duloxetine has no significant affinity to dopaminergic receptors, adrenergic receptors, cholinergic receptors, histamine receptors, opiate receptors, glutamate receptors, and the GABA receptors. Duloxetine does not inhibit monoamine oxidase.