Fifteen randomized clinical trials were included in this meta-analysis to compare duloxetine to a variety of other pain medications in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Comparisons between duloxetine and antidepressants, cox-2 inhibitors, non-scheduled opioids, scheduled opioids and other drugs suggested that scheduled opioids were more effective than duloxetine; however, the effect size was minimal and difference was lost when repeated using a random effects model. Before any definitive conclusions can be made regarding duloxetine as an alternative treatment for chronic low back pain, further clinical trials providing direct comparisons are required.