Sherri Dmyterko: For the first time in years doctor and patients in Canada have a new option when it comes to antidepressants medication. Health Canada has approved Cymbalta for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Doctor Sidney Kennedy is the Chair of the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatment.
Sidney Kennedy: It has been several years now it since it has been a new antidepressants in Canada for patients suffering from depression. With its dual action on both the serotonin and norepinephrine systems right from the starting dose, Cymbalta may offer an important new option to address the unmet needs of depressed patients both from the perspective of physical and emotional symptoms.
Sherri Dmyterko: These neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine are thought to regulate a person's emotions and sensitivity to pain or relative imbalance of these neurotransmitters may lead a person to become depressed and more likely to experience the emotional and physical symptoms with depression.
Sidney Kennedy: Recent study suggest that patients who are successfully treated for all of their depressive symptoms both the emotional and physical symptoms will be more likely to achieve remission. Cymbalta may offer patients a greater chance of being restored to their optimal level of functioning.
Sherri Dmyterko: Phil Upshall is the Executive Director of the Mood Disorder Society of Canada and says it's a very positive development to have a new tool to treat depression.
Phil Upshall: Nearly three million Canadians have serious depression but less than one-third seek help. Having a new treatment option is always encouraging for patients in their fight to get well, and stay well. It's also important that Canadians have access to all treatments that allow them to achieve their best possible health outcome.
Bathang Nguyen: This medicine is completely different from the ones that I had tried before. I think that's about says it all, if I say to you that it had saved my life. Thanks to Cymbalta, I have found a way to get back my life, it's like a struggle and you fight back and I got back my life with Cymbalta. I started to live again.
Sherri Dmyterko: For more information about new treatment options for depression speak with your doctor. Sherri Dmyterko reporting.
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