What is Cymbalta used for?
DULOXETINE is an antidepressant. It is used for the treatment of depression. It is also used to treat pain caused by complications of diabetes or pain caused by fibromyalgia.
What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking Cymbalta?
Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:
- bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder
- kidney or liver diseases
- narrow- angle glaucoma
- suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
- taken medicines called MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate within 14 days
- an unusual reaction to duloxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How is Cymbalta should be taken?
Take it orally accompanied with a glass of water. You should never cut, crush or chew this medicine. You can take this medicine with or without food. This medicine should be taken at the regular intervals. You should never take this medicine more often than prescribed. If you have been using this medicine regularly for some time period, you should never stop using it abruptly. In order for your symptoms not to get worse, you will have to gradually reduce the dose. Consult with your physician for more information on the issue.
Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine by children. Special care might be necessary.
Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with the others.
What to do if I missed a dose of Cymbalta?
If you missed a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses; a single doze is sufficient for the purposes.
What are the possible interactions of Cymbalta with the other medicine/food/etc?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following:
- certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
- procarbazine
- SSRIs like citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline
- St. John's Wort
- thioridazine
- tryptophan
- venlafaxine
This medicine may also interact with the following:
- aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
- certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and enoxacin
- cimetidine
- medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
- medicines for heart rhythm or blood pressure
- NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
- other medicines for mental depression, mania, psychosis, or anxiety
This list is not all-inclusive and may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you are using. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.
Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking Cymbalta?
Pay regular visits to your doctor or health care professional to undergo checks on your progress. You should go on using this medicine even if there is no obvious improvement to your symptoms. It might take up to 4 weeks for you to feel the full effect of this medication.
Patients and their families should pay attention to the worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. You should also keep an eye on the sudden or severe feeling changes such as anxiety, agitation, feeling panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or having trouble sleeping. If this happens, especially during the beginning of your treatment course or after a change in dosage, contact your physician immediately.
You may experience drowsiness or dizziness symptoms. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how exactly this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are a senior patient. This is to reduce the risk of possible dizziness or fainting spells. Alcohol may cause interference with this medicine’s effect. Refrain from using alcohol at all costs.
You should never attempt to treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without a prior consultation with your doctor or health care professional. Some ingredients used in those medications can increase possible side effects for this drug.
Your might experience dry mouth symptom. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking a sugar candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medicine may cause an increase in the blood pressure. Check with your doctor or health care professional, you may be able to measure your own blood pressure and pulse. Ensure that you know what your blood pressure and heart rate should be and under what circumstances you should contact them.
Does Cymbalta have any possible side effects?
The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:
- allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching or hives,face, lips, or tongue swelling
- changes in blood pressure
- confusion
- dizziness
- fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control
- fast irregular heartbeat
- fever
- hallucination, loss of contact with reality
- seizures
- stomach flu-like symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting
- suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
- unusual bleeding or bruising
The side effects listed below usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):
- blurred vision
- change in appetite
- change in sex drive or performance
- headache
- increased sweating
- nausea
Other side effects are also possible, the above list is not all inclusive.
Where should I keep Cymbalta?
Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach.
This medicine should be stored at the room temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.