Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Description

Cymbalta is a drug which uses duloxetine as the main ingredient for its function. It is an antidepressant and works as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

 

Duloxetine helps restore balance in the brain when there is a chemical imbalance. This is common with people suffering from depression.

 

Cymbalta is used in the treatment of depression in adults. Another use for Cymbalta is as anxiety medication in anyone older than 7 years of age.

 

This medication is also used in the treatment of fibromyalgia in adults as well as chronic muscle and joint pain disorders like osteoarthritic.

 

It can also be used in the treatment of the pain caused by damage to the nerve endings of adults suffering from diabetes.

 

Important information

 

Do not use Cymbalta if you have glaucoma for which you have not received treatment and over which you don’t have control.

 

Do not take this medication if you are on thioridazine. If you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 2 weeks, do not take Cymbalta as well.

 

This could cause a reaction which could have dangerous side effects. These inhibitors include injections of methylene blue, phenelzine, tranylcypromine and linezolid.

 

When your course of Cymbalta ends, wait at least a week before getting on an MAO inhibitor to avoid any bad side effects.

 

In a lot of young people, suicidal thoughts are common, especially when the first week of taking an antidepressant begins.

 

Report any changes in behavior and mood to a doctor as soon as possible. Tell your doctor if you experience anxiety, insomnia, hostility and rage issues.

 

If you feel more depressed after having taken a course of Cymbalta, you should tell your doctor immediately. If you have suicidal thoughts, talk to your therapist and doctor.

 

Do not use Cymbalta if you have an allergy to the main ingredient, duloxetine, or if you have glaucoma that is untreated and uncontrolled.

 

Tell your doctor before taking this medication if you have a history of hepatic or renal failure, epilepsy, seizures, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, high blood pressure, bipolar disorder, glaucoma and a history of drug abuse.

 

The effect of this drug on unborn children is currently unknown. However, if the drug is taken during the last three months of pregnancy it can have an adverse effect.

 

Tell your doctor before taking Cymbalta if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant during your course of treatment with the medicine.

 

Do not take the medicine if you are currently with a newborn child and are feeding him or her breast milk. It could pass to the child through the milk and harm them.

 

Unless a doctor advises it, never give this medication to a child under the age of 18.

 

 

 

Dosage

 

When taking this medicine make sure you closely follow the instructions the prescription gives you. Do not deviate from the advice of your doctor in any way.

 

Do not take larger or smaller doses of Cymbalta than your doctor has told you to. Never continue treatment for longer than you have been told.

 

Take the dose at a regular time each day. Remain consistent with your timing. Swallow the capsule as it is without crushing, chewing or breaking it.

 

The capsule is slow-release. Do not mess with the release mechanism by crushing it. If your symptoms improve, tell your doctor but continue taking the medication for the required time.

 

Missed doses and overdose

 

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you know. If you are about to take your next dose, skip the one you missed. Never take an extra dose to make up for it.

 

If you overdose on this drug, call your local poison hotline immediately and seek emergency medical assistance.

 

Side effects

 

Common side effects include:

 

 Changes in your vision
 Dry mouth
 Drowsy, dizzy feeling
 Tiredness
 No appetite
 Sweating

 

More severe side effects include:

 

 Rage
 Anxiety
 Insomnia
 Mood swings
 Panic attacks
 Hostility
 Impulsiveness
 Depression
 Suicidal thoughts
 Thoughts of self-harm
 Lightheadedness
 Tunnel vision
 Seeing halos around lights
 Easy bruising
 Unexplained bleeding
 Painful urination
 Liver failure
 Hallucinations
 Fever
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Stiffness
 Confusion
 Tremors
 Severe weakness
 Skin reaction

 

Call your doctor immediately if you experience these side effects.

 

Contraindications

 

Do not take this medication with sleeping pills, narcotics, opiates and muscle relaxants.