Why is Cymbalta prescribed?

Cymbalta is used to treat major depression—a disorder marked by continuing, serious, and overwhelming feelings of depression that interfere with daily functioning. Symptoms may include major changes in appetite or sleep habits; lack of interest in social or work life; feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness; fatigue; difficulty concentrating or making decisions; and suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide.

Cymbalta is also used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a painful nerve disorder associated with diabetes that affects the hands, legs, and feet.

Cymbalta is thought to work by correcting an imbalance of two brain chemicals known to influence mood—serotonin and norepinephrine. It belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

How should this medicine be used?

Duloxetine comes as a delayed-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. When duloxetine is used to treat depression, it is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. When duloxetine is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, the pain of diabetic neuropathy, or fibromyalgia, it is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take duloxetine at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take duloxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Do not open the capsules and mix the contents with liquids or sprinkle the contents on food.

If you are taking duloxetine to treat generalized anxiety disorder, the pain of diabetic neuropathy, or fibromyalgia, your doctor may start you on a low dose of medication and gradually increase your dose.

Duloxetine may help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. It may take 1 to 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of duloxetine. Continue to take duloxetine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking duloxetine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking duloxetine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; anxiety; dizziness; tiredness; headache; pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet; irritability; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; sweating; and nightmares. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms when your dose of duloxetine is decreased.

How should you take Cymbalta?

Take Cymbalta at about the same time each day. Swallow the capsule whole; do not chew it or break it open. Cymbalta may be taken with or without food.

It may take several weeks before the drug begins to work. Continue taking Cymbalta even if you begin to feel better. Do not stop taking this drug without your doctor's approval. Abruptly stopping treatment may cause severe side effects.

• If you miss a dose...
  Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

• Storage instructions...
  Store at room temperature.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Duloxetine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• heartburn
• stomach pain
• decreased appetite
• dry mouth
• increased urination
• difficulty urinating
• sweating or night sweats
• dizziness
• headache
• tiredness
• weakness
• drowsiness
• muscle pain or cramps
• changes in sexual desire or ability
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following side effects, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• unusual bruising or bleeding
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• swelling of the abdomen
• itching
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark colored urine
• loss of appetite
• extreme tiredness or weakness
• confusion
• flu-like symptoms
• fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, and severe muscle stiffness
• blurred vision
• fever
• blisters or peeling skin
• rash
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness

Duloxetine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• agitation
• hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• loss of coordination
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• seizures
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• fainting
• unresponsiveness

User Reviews

Comment from: Freckles1974, 25-34 Female on Treatment for 1-2 years (Patient)
Be careful!! While this drug does an ok job it scary when you decide to get off of it. YOu body will go through a variery of withdraw symptoms EVEN if you slowly dose down. I took this due to crazy life changes. Now that I am okay I want to stop taking it but it has been an up hill battle... uncontrolable crying dizzy, nausa, brain zaps ( trust me if you stop taking it you will understand) Published: September 18, 2007 ::

Comment from: GrammyPhyllis6, 65-74 Female on Treatment for 1-6 months (Patient)
I have suffered with Fibromyalgia for years. Now I can function much better 98 percent of the time. Published: September 22, 2007 ::

Comment from: Veronica, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 1-2 years (Patient)
Although the cymbalta did treat my depression to the point that I could function once again, I do have a couple of major complaints. There was not nearly enough information provided to me regarding side effects. I am someone who actually reads the pamphlet that the pharmacist gives you. No where to be found are the severe impact it can have on your weight. Over time, and I have been on it approximately 18 months. Upon further investigation on my part, I have found that cymbalta actually enters your fat cells and STAYS THERE! OVER TIME the weight creeps on and on. To top that off are the severe side effects when you are trying to ween yourself off of it. For example, I have gained 15 POUNDS in the two weeks while trying to eliminate cymbalta from my life. Not to mention the other awful side effects: brain zaps, mood swings, high blood pressure, urge to urinate one second & not making it to the bathroom the next, diahrea, joint pain, brain fog, adema, slurred speech and others. Think twice before using this drug. In the 18 months that I have been taking it I have gained 34 pounds. On a 5'1" frame thats another whole person practically. I was in a size 6-8 petite, and now I am busting out size 16's. Talk about a reason to be depressed!!! It's been 17 days and the brain zaps are almost gone and I am "starting" to feel like myself again-except for the weight gain. If I was eating carbs, sweets, etc. that would be one thing. But I follow a high protein, high vegetable diet. Really consider the consequences. Published: March 02, 2008 ::

Comment from: Sarah, 25-34 Female on Treatment for 6 months - 1 year (Patient)
I started taking Cymbalta 30mg then to 60mg. It worked wonders for about 2 or 3 months. Since then I am living in my own HELL trying to get off of it. I recommend anyone that is thinking of trying this, PLEASE look it up online! I am not the only one going through this. The withdrawal symptoms are so severe I keep giving in and finally taking it again just to feel some relief. This time I am not going back. I want this horrible drug out of my system. When I was on it I couldn't sleep. I tried ambien and lunesta, and they didn't work. The withdawal symptoms include horrible physical pain and weakness, intense periods of depression and crying. Feeling like you are lost. If anyone has ever seen a Cymbalta commercial, thats exactly what you will feel like when you try to wean yourself off of it. I hope this can be helpful to anyone. Published: February 10, 2008 ::