Cymbalta: Uses, Side Effects, and More

Cymbalta (generic drug duloxetine) belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and other types of mental illness, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and children 7 years and older. Please continue reading to learn more about the uses, dosage, side effects, and precautions while taking Cymbalta (duloxetine).

What conditions does Cymbalta treat?

Cymbalta is used to treat depression in adults. Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that affects how you feel, think, and behave. This condition is associated with persistent sadness and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Depression also comes with weight change, low libido, and reduced energy levels; Cymbalta may help improve these undesirable symptoms as the depression is resolved.

Cymbalta is classified as a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI); this antidepressant works by increasing the levels of natural substances in the brain called serotonin and norepinephrine. A healthy level of these brain chemicals is essential for regulating mood; therefore, by replenishing serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, Cymbalta is effective at reducing depressive symptoms, along with sleep, appetite, energy, and sexual function. In addition to depression, Cymbalta is approved to treat other health conditions listed below.

What is Cymbalta used for other than depression?

Other than depression, Cymbalta is also prescribed for:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Anxiety can be situational, caused by the loss of a loved one, or problems with one’s professional or personal life. However, sometimes, anxiety can just occur without any cause. Anxiety symptoms can vary among people. Generally, anxiety is defined as excessive tension and worry that cause disruption to daily life. It is unknown how Cymbalta works exactly, but experts believe its anti-anxiety property is due to the effects of serotonin and norepinephrine being replenished in the central nervous system (CNS).

Cymbalta (duloxetine) can be used to treat anxiety in adults and children who are at least 7 years old.

Diabetic neuropathy

Pain and tingling due to nerve damage in people with diabetes.

Fibromyalgia

A chronic pain condition associated with muscle stiffness, pain, and tenderness leading to fatigue and difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Cymbalta can be used to treat fibromyalgia in adults and children who are 13 years and older.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain

Cymbalta is used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults. This health condition can cause ongoing bone, muscle, and joint pain that can last for several months.

Off-label use

Cymbalta can be used off-label in the following conditions:

Stress urinary incontinence
Chronic fatigue syndrome

Who can take Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is approved for use in:

Adults with depression.
Adults and children aged 7 years and older with generalized anxiety disorder.
Adults with diabetic neuropathy.
Adults and children aged 13 years and older with fibromyalgia.

What are the benefits of taking Cymbalta?

Taking an antidepressant such as Cymbalta can help to relieve the symptoms of depression, including sleep, appetite, and energy levels.

How does Cymbalta make a person feel?

Cymbalta works to improve symptoms of depression, including loss of interest, feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, tearfulness, emptiness, sleep disturbances, lack of energy, tiredness, decreased appetite, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, anger, irritability, frustration, and problems with thinking and decision-making.

What are the side effects of Cymbalta?

Common side effects of Cymbalta are listed below. These side effects usually go away once your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your doctor if they are severe or persist after a few days.

Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, and stomach pain
Decreased appetite
Dry mouth
Excessive sweating
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache

Other side effects include weight loss, tremors, anxiety, and sexual problems. The weight loss side effect is generally neglectable in adults. However, children are more sensitive to this side effect; therefore, close monitoring of weight and height is important in children during treatment with Cymbalta (duloxetine).

In rare cases, Cymbalta can cause more serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help if you develop the following symptoms:

Liver problems, such as pain in the right upper abdomen, swelling, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, loss of appetite
Severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, hives, swelling of face, tongue, or throat.
Mania, such as increased agitation, increased energy, unusual risk-taking behavior, and decreased need for sleep.
Low blood sodium level causing unusual weakness, being unsteady, confusion, new problems with memory, headache, and confusion.
Unusual bruising or bleeding
Palpitation
Problems urinating
Fainting
New vision problems

Besides these serious side effects, you must watch out for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as fever, sweating, confusion, agitation, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, and vomiting. You should get emergency medical care for this potentially life-threatening medical condition.

Inform your provider of any new or worsening symptoms, including behavior changes, irritability, increased impulsivity, hostility, hyperactivity, if you feel more depressed, or if you have thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

How to take Cymbalta?

Dosing

Read the prescription label carefully and take the medication exactly as prescribed. Do not take a higher or lower dose or take it more or less frequently than how it is prescribed to you.

This medicine comes as a delayed-release capsule to take by mouth with water 1-2 times a day, depending on the condition being treated. You can take it with or without food. Try to take your medicine at around the same time every day. Do not cut, crush, or chew the delayed-release capsules.

Effectiveness

Keep all your appointments during treatment with this medicine. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and increase the dose gradually. It can take up to 8 weeks to experience the full effects of Cymbalta (duloxetine); however, you may notice some improvement in sleep and appetite after 1 to 2 weeks of taking it. You should keep track of the improvement in your symptoms along with side effects. Therefore, you should not stop taking Cymbalta after one week due to the lack of complete resolution of depressive symptoms. However, if you don’t notice any improvement by week 4, you should inform your doctor to discuss different treatment options. On the other hand, if you notice any severe side effects, let your doctor know immediately, along with any new or worsening symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms

Do not stop taking Cymbalta without talking to your doctor first. Suddenly stopping this medicine can cause withdrawal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, severe restlessness, dizziness, headache, and sleep problems. Your doctor will tell you how to gradually reduce the dose instead of stopping it cold turkey.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Cymbalta, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

What are some precautions while on Cymbalta?

Other medications

Give your healthcare professional a complete list of your other medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal products like St. John’s Wort. This will help avoid potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs. Specifically, you should not take duloxetine within 5 days before or 14 days after taking an MAO inhibitor (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), such as methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, or selegiline.

Medical history

Cymbalta may not be right for people with certain health conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you use street drugs or have alcohol use problems. Also, tell your doctor if you have psychiatric disorders, glaucoma, seizures, recent heart attack, heart disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, low sodium, bleeding problems, diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease.

Taking Cymbalta can cause high blood pressure in some people. Your healthcare professional may ask you to measure your blood pressure regularly while on this medicine. However, some people have low blood pressure while being on Cymbalta; low blood pressure causes dizziness and lightheadedness leading to falls and injury. This adverse effect can occur at any time during treatment; however, the risk is higher during the first week of taking Cymbalta or after the dose is increased.

Duloxetine (Cymbalta) can also cause an eye condition called angle-closure glaucoma. Your doctor may recommend regular eye checkups during treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop eye pain, swelling, redness, or vision changes while on this medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Cymbalta (duloxetine) can cause problems in the newborn baby if taken in the last few months of pregnancy.

Activities

Since this medication can lower your blood pressure and blood sodium levels, Cymbalta can make you drowsy and dizzy, increasing your risk of falls, accidents, and injuries. Alcohol can increase these serious side effects. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any hazardous activity until you know how this medicine affects you.

Cymbalta can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting if you get up too quickly from a sitting or lying position. To prevent falls, get out of bed slowly and rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Suicidal thinking and behavior

People with depression may have thoughts of harming themselves or others. However, there is a risk of increased suicidal thoughts and behavior at the beginning of treatment with Cymbalta (or other antidepressants). Besides the first few months of treatment, this risk is also higher after a dose change. This unexpected change in mental health can occur in people of all ages, but it is particularly higher in people under 24 years of age. This is a serious adverse effect; therefore, your family members should know what symptoms to watch out for and when to get emergency medical care. Your family or caregiver should also know how to get in touch with your healthcare provider if they notice new or worsening symptoms of depression or any unusual behavior or mood changes in case you are unable to seek help for yourself.

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