What Is Cymbalta?
Cymbalta
® (
duloxetine hydrochloride) is a prescription medicine used to treat the following conditions:
Cymbalta is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.
Cymbalta is part of a class of drugs called
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or
SNRIs for short. SNRIs affect specific chemicals within the brain known as serotonin and norepinephrine. These are two of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.
As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release serotonin or norepinephrine. The chemical enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin or norepinephrine reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any serotonin or norepinephrine that remains in the gap between the cells. This is called "reuptake."
Normally, this process works without any problems. But when the levels of serotonin or norepinephrine become unbalanced, it can cause a variety of conditions, including depression or
anxiety. Cymbalta helps to block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine so that more remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the chemicals a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.
Although it is not entirely clear how Cymbalta works for nerve pain, the drug appears to help block the pain signals in the spinal cord or brain. This may help relieve the pain of peripheral diabetic neuropathy. It is not clear how exactly Cymbalta works for fibromyalgia pain.
Several studies have looked at the effects of Cymbalta on a variety of conditions.
Depression
Four studies have shown Cymbalta to be effective for
depression treatment in adults. In these studies, people taking the drug had more improvement in their
depression symptoms, compared to those not taking it.
Neuropathy
Cymbalta has also been studied for neuropathic pain (nerve pain) in people with peripheral
diabetic neuropathy. These studies included people with either type 1 or
type 2 diabetes who had been experiencing diabetic neuropathy pain for at least six months. People taking the drug were more likely to have half as much pain as before, compared to those not taking it.
Anxiety
Fibromyalgia
Studies indicate that Cymbalta can help reduce
fibromyalgia pain. Cymbalta was more effective than a placebo (a "sugar pill") for relieving pain, even in people who did not have depression along with fibromyalgia (although it was most effective in people that had depression).
When and How to Take Cymbalta
General considerations for when and how to take Cymbalta include the following:
- The drug comes in capsule form. It is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day.
- If Cymbalta makes you drowsy, try taking it later in the day. If it causes insomnia, try taking it earlier.
- You can take Cymbalta with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- Be sure to swallow the capsules whole. Do not open or chew them.
- The medication should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For Cymbalta to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. The drug will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Cymbalta your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Cymbalta. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects include:
(Click Cymbalta Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
You can also read about specific Cymbalta side effects in the following eMedTV articles:
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Cymbalta?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Cymbalta if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Depression, even in its most severe form, is highly treatable. As with many illnesses, getting
depression treatment early is more effective and reduces the chance of recurrence.
The most common forms of treatment for depression are medication (
antidepressants) and psychotherapy ("talk therapy"). In cases of severe depression, some healthcare providers may recommend electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some people may also try complementary or alternative treatments for depression
(see Natural Remedies for Depression).
For most people, Cymbalta is quite effective at treating depression. It is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects can occur, or the medicine may not work as well as needed. In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative. Some examples of substitute depression medications include:
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Cymbalta may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- A fast heartbeat
- Feeling faint
- Fever
- Sweating
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty walking
- Diarrhea.
If you happen to take too much of the drug, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Cymbalta Be Stored?
Cymbalta should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. The capsules should be kept in an airtight container.
Keep it -- and all medications -- out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Cymbalta?
If you do not take your Cymbalta as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
- Cymbalta 20 mg
- Cymbalta 30 mg
- Cymbalta 60 mg.
There is currently no generic Cymbalta licensed for sale
(see Generic Cymbalta for more information).
