Lilly seeks OK of Cymbalta for anxiety

INDIANAPOLIS, May 9 (UPI) -- Eli Lilly said Tuesday it has filed for approval of its anti-depressant drug Cymbalta to treat generalized anxiety disorder.

According to the company, 4 million Americans age 18 to 54 are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, the majority of them women.

Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with major depressive disorder and to manage diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults.

"More than three million patients worldwide have been treated with Cymbalta since its approval from the FDA for the treatment of major depression and management of diabetic nerve pain," said Alan Breier, Lilly's vice president, medical and chief medical officer. "Lilly is committed to fully exploring other unmet patient needs, and looks forward to conducting further research with this innovative drug."

The company said it is also testing the drug in phase 3 studies as a potential therapy for fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder marked by muscle aches, muscle pain and stiffness, fatigue and sleep disturbance.