Store Cymbalta in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze. Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Cymbalta there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Cymbalta.
Active Ingredients:
Duloxetine Hydrochloride
For more information on the conditions Cymbalta treats go to :
1-800-Therapist Depression Encyclopedia
1-800-Therapist GAD Encyclopedia
It is important to keep a list of all medications you are currently taking. This should include all prescription, over the counter, and supplemental medications. This list should be kept with you at all times. Whenever you are beginning a new medication, be sure to consult your doctor and provide him or her with your list of medications.
For further information on Cymbalta speak with a pharmacist.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Cymbalta will harm your unborn baby.
Cymbalta comes as a delayed-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Swallow the capsules whole; do not crush or chew them. Take Cymbalta at around the same time(s) every day. Take Cymbalta 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.
Cymbalta 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 Cymbalta. Continue to take Cymbalta even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Cymbalta without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
Cymbalta is a prescription medicine used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Before taking Cymbalta, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- glaucoma
- diabetes
- seizures
- high blood pressure
- bipolar disorder
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, or are planning to take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Take Cymbalta exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of medication and increase your dose after one week. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you.
When Cymbalta is used to treat depression, it is usually taken once or twice a day. When Cymbalta is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, the pain of diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, or ongoing bone or muscle pain, it is usually taken once a day.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking or are planning to take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), warfarin (Coumadin)
- MAO inhibitors
- thioridazine
- fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil)
- lithium
- tramadol
- migraine medications
- cimetidine
- fluvoxamine
- ciprofloxacin
- linezolid
- St. John’s Wort
- nortriptyline, amitriptyline, imipramine
This is not a complete list of Cymbalta drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an oral medication used primarily to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It has also been used to treat the chronic pain disorder fibromyalgia, pain from diabetic nerve damage, and chronic pain from osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, and lower back pain. It is part of a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, two neurotransmitter chemicals that play an important role in maintaining mood and pain signals in the brain.
It is believed that a possible cause of depression is a low amount of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. In the brain, the space between where two neurons meet to communicate is called a synapse, and the synapse is where serotonin and norepinephrine are used to communicate between neurons. In depression, people may not have enough serotonin or norepinephrine in their brain. Normally after a chemical message is sent between neurons, the neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron (presynaptic neuron). A selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor will bind to the presynaptic neuron and prevent it from absorbing the serotonin and norepinephrine, and leaving the neurotransmitters active in the synapse, and improving mood.
In the case of an overdose, contact a medical health care professional as soon as possible.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- Agitation
- Unresponsiveness
- Hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever
- Loss of coordination
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Seizures
Cymbalta is prescribed as a delayed-release capsule to be taken by mouth.
- In the case of Depression treatment, Cymbalta is generally taken once or twice a day. Cymbalta may be taken with or without food.
- In the case of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Management of Neuropathic Pain (DPNP) associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, or Osteoarthritis Cymbalta is generally taken once a day. Cymbalta may be taken with or without food.
Cymbalta should generally be administered once daily without regard to meals. Cymbalta should be swallowed whole and should not be chewed or crushed, nor should the capsule be opened and its contents be sprinkled on food or mixed with liquids.
Discontinuing Cymbalta: A gradual dose reduction is recommended to avoid discontinuation symptoms. Do not discontinue Cymbalta without first speaking with your doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Numbness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nightmares
- Tingling in the hands or feet
- Anxiety
- Tiredness
- Pain
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Sweating
- Burning
- Irritability
- Headache
WARNING: SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS
Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Cymbalta or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Cymbalta is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
Side Effects can include:
- 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
Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
- Thoughts about suicide or dying
- Attempts to commit suicide
- New or worse depression
- New or worse anxiety
- Feeling very agitated or restless
- Panic attacks
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- New or worse irritability
- Acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
- Acting on dangerous impulses
- An extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
- Other unusual changes in behavior or mood
WARNING: SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS
Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Cymbalta or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Cymbalta is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
- Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment.
- Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions.
- How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
- Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
- Call the healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
- Keep all follow-up visits with the healthcare provider as scheduled. Call the healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.
Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
- thoughts about suicide or dying
- attempts to commit suicide
- new or worse depression
- new or worse anxiety
- feeling very agitated or restless
- panic attacks
- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- new or worse irritability
- acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
- acting on dangerous impulses
- an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
- other unusual changes in behavior or mood
More important information about antidepressants:
- Never stop an antidepressant medicine without first talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.
- Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and other illnesses. It is important to discuss all the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. Patients and their families or other caregivers should discuss all treatment choices with the healthcare provider, not just the use of antidepressants.
- Antidepressant medicines have other side effects. Talk to the healthcare provider about the side effects of the medicine prescribed for you or your family member.
- Antidepressant medicines can interact with other medicines. Know all of the medicines that you or your family member takes. Keep a list of all medicines to show the healthcare provider. Do not start new medicines without first checking with your healthcare provider.
- Not all antidepressant medicines prescribed for children are FDA approved for use in children. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider for more information.
These are not all the possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions.
Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
Call the healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings. Keep all follow-up visits with the healthcare provider as scheduled. Call the healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.
Cymbalta is available in 20 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg delayed-release capsules.
Active ingredient: duloxetine hydrochloride
Inactive ingredients: gelatin, hypromelloses, hypromelloses acetate succinate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sucrose, talc, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, FD&C Blue No. 2, ferric oxide yellow
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Cymbalta may be excreted in human breast milk. It is not known how Cymbalta will affect your baby.
Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (The efficacy of Cymbalta was established in four short term and one maintenance trial in adults)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (The efficacy of Cymbalta was established in three short-term trials and one maintenance trial in adults)
- Management of Neuropathic Pain (DPNP) associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Fibromyalgia (FM)
- Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (This has been established in studies in patients with chronic low back pain and chronic pain due to osteoarthritis)
- Osteoarthritis
Cymbalta treats these conditions by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, two neurotransmitter chemicals that play an important role in maintaining mood and pain signals in the brain.