Treatment of insomnia depends on the cause. Nondrug therapy includes using relaxation therapy, controlling stimulation (for example, caffeine ingestion or evening exercise), and limiting time in bed to regular sleep hours. Medications directed toward a specific sleep-disrupting cause should also be considered.
Sedative-hypnotic drugs do not cure insomnia, but they may relieve symptoms. Short-term use (2-3 weeks) of sleeping pills may be warranted for chronic insomnia while other treatments or behavioral therapies are being started.
The choice of sedative-hypnotic depends on the type of sleep problem. If an individual has trouble falling asleep, a quick-acting but short-lasting drug such as zolpidem (Ambien) may be prescribed. These types of drugs are useful because they may be taken after several hours of trying to fall asleep, yet the effects do not last long enough to cause difficulty waking in the morning. Drugs that have longer-lasting actions, such as flurazepam (Dalmane), temazepam (Restoril), estazolam (ProSom), and antidepressants, are useful for individuals who wake up after initially falling asleep.
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Cymbalta is approved for the treatment of depression.
Important Safety Information
Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
You should not take Cymbalta if:
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.
The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.
Insomnia is defined as repeated difficulty with the initiation, duration, maintenance, or quality of sleep that occurs despite adequate time and opportunity for sleep that results in some form of daytime impairment.
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