AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efcacy of duloxetine in different doses in postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing lumbar
spine surgery. MATERIALAND METHOD: 80 patients of ASA grade І & ІІ of either sex scheduled for lumbar spine surgery under general
anaesthesia were divided into 2 groups (n=40 each) randomly.Group D (n=40) Patients who received a 60 mg duloxetine 1 hour before surgery and
another tablet the following morning. Group 'P'(n=40) Patients who received a placebo tablet 1 hour before surgery and again the following
morning. Pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and severity of pain on NRS scale was noted at 0 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 12 hr, 16 hr, 20 hr, 24 hr, 28 hr, 32
hr and 48 hr after surgery. And the presence or absence of adverse effects, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness were
noted. RESULT: Analysis revealed that time for rst analgesic requirement was signicantly longer with oral Duloxetine 60 mg than with
placebo. Pre-emptive oral Duloxetine 60 mg decreases the severity of pain postoperatively but not signicantly as compared to placebo in patients
posted for lumbar spine surgery under general anaesthesia. Oral Duloxetine 60 mg had no signicant effect on cardiovascular and respiratory
parameters. Patients receiving duloxetine had higher incidence of nausea, vomiting. CONCLUSION:that time for rst analgesic requirement was
signicantly longer with oral Duloxetine 60 mg than placebo.