Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Duloxetine hydrochloride is a medication that’s used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), pain due to diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia syndrome, and neuropathic pain. It’s in a class of medications called selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Duloxetine can be used alone or in combination with other medications, and it is used to treat adults and children who are at least 7 years old.

Duloxetine belongs to a class of medications called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Duloxetine affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety. Specifically, it increases serotonin and norepinephrine levels in your brain. Increased levels of these chemicals can help improve mood and decrease anxiety and stress caused by depression. It is important to note that these effects may take several weeks to notice because changes in neurotransmitter levels occur gradually.

Duloxetine’s side effects include increased headaches, sleepiness, nausea, dry mouth, and body or muscle aches. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medication. Check with your provider if any of the side effects continue or if more serious side effects occur.

Doxepin comes in pill and liquid form to take orally. For anxiety and depression treatment, doxepin is usually taken one to three times a day. You can take it with or without food. Take doxepin at the same time daily, and do not change your doxepin schedule without talking to your provider first. Ask your provider about which time of day will work best for you to take doxepin.

Duloxetine should not be taken with certain medications and health conditions. Be sure to tell your provider if you are taking an MAO inhibitor, aspirin, NSAIDs, or any other medications or supplements before starting duloxetine. As with any medication, your provider will help you determine if duloxetine can be safely combined with other drugs.

Be sure to tell your provider if you have ever had a heart attack or have high blood pressure, seizures, heart, liver, diabetes, or kidney disease so that your provider can assess potential risks. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Duloxetine may cause problems in newborns if it is taken late in pregnancy. Since duloxetine can cause drowsiness or dizziness, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Duloxetine typically takes around two weeks to work, even though some users may notice an improvement after just one week. It can take 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full effects of duloxetine. Your provider may gradually increase your dose.

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