Cymbalta Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with
Cymbalta® (
duloxetine hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes Cymbalta will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the medication well. When Cymbalta side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Cymbalta. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Cymbalta side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Cymbalta
Cymbalta has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine.
As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of Cymbalta included:
- Nausea -- occurring in up to 30 percent of people
- Drowsiness -- in up to 21 percent
- Headaches -- in up to 20 percent
- Dry mouth -- in up to 18 percent (see Cymbalta and Dry Mouth)
- Dizziness -- in up to 17 percent
- Insomnia -- in up to 16 percent (see Cymbalta and Insomnia)
- Constipation -- in up to 15 percent
- Fatigue -- in up to 15 percent
- Diarrhea -- in up to 13 percent
- Loss of appetite -- in up to 11 percent
- Sore throat or runny nose -- in up to 9 percent
- Weakness -- in up to 8 percent
- Sweating -- in up to 8 percent
- Vomiting -- in up to 8 percent
- A decreased sex drive (libido) -- in up to 7 percent (see Sexual Side Effects of Cymbalta)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (such as the common cold) -- in up to 7 percent
- Coughing -- in up to 6 percent.
Other common Cymbalta side effects (occurring in 2 to 5 percent of people) included:
