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February 10, 2012
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Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Cymbalta

Generic Name: duloxetine (Pronunciation: du LOX e teen)

What is duloxetine (Cymbalta)?

Duloxetine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Duloxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

Duloxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder. It is also used to treat a chronic pain disorder called fibromyalgia, and to treat pain caused by nerve damage in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy).

Duloxetine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cymbalta 20 mg

green, imprinted with 20 mg, LILLY 3235

Cymbalta 30 mg

blue/white, imprinted with Lilly 3240, 30 mg

Cymbalta 60 mg

blue/white, imprinted with Lilly 3240, 30 mg, Lilly 3237, 60 mg

What are the possible side effects of duloxetine (Cymbalta)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • painful or difficult urination;
  • easy bruising or bleeding, nosebleeds;
  • black, bloody, or tarry stools;
  • very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;
  • headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, confusion, hallucinations; or
  • weakness, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • dry mouth, blurred vision;
  • drowsiness, dizziness, spinning sensation;
  • mild nausea, constipation, gas;
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • joint or muscle pain;
  • weight changes; or
  • decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about duloxetine (Cymbalta)?

Do not take duloxetine together with thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take duloxetine. After you stop taking duloxetine, you must wait at least 5 days before you start taking an MAOI.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking duloxetine. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to your liver.

Duloxetine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.


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Brand Names:
Cymbalta
[+]

Generic Name:
duloxetine
[+]

Depression »

Types of Depression

Throughout the course of our lives, we all experience episodes of stress, unhappiness, sadness, or grief. Often, when a loved one dies or we suffer a personal tragedy or difficulty such as divorce or loss of a job, we may feel depressed (some people call this "the blues"). Most of us are able to cope with these and other types of stressful events.

Over a period of days or weeks, the majority of us are able to return to our normal activities. But when these feelings of sadness and other symptoms make it hard for us to get through the day, and when the symptoms last for more than a couple of weeks in a row, we may have what is called "clinical depression." The term clinical depression is usually used to distinguish the illness of depression from less difficult feelings of sadness, gloom, or the blues.

Clinical depression is not just grief or feeling sad. It is an illness that can challenge your ability to perform even routine...

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