Understanding Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Duloxetine, often sold as Cymbalta, is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI). It is used to balance brain chemicals! However, it causes significant side effects in many patients. Thus, doctors must monitor the patients they prescribe it to very carefully!

The good news is that it is an effective medication for anxiety treatment. It is also great for treating depression in adults! Many patients also benefit from taking this medication as a fibromyalgia treatment. It is often prescribed as a pain treatment for many causes. This includes acting as a joint pain treatment and a treatment for diabetic nerve pain! However, patients need to understand this medication fully before taking it.

How It Works

Doctors believe this antidepressant changes how serotonin and norepinephrine interact with the central nervous system. These are both natural chemicals in the body. In other words, it balances brain chemicals! Serotonin manages several functions as a neurotransmitter, including regulating emotions and pain perception. It also helps with digestive function!

The second chemical, norepinephrine, works in the brain stem. This chemical affects how individuals perceive their mood, emotions, pain, and thoughts. It even influences blood pressure and movement. However, the biggest function is how it deals with an individual's instinctive fight-or-flight response. Depression and anxiety disorder patients experience this response far more often, even without any danger being present! Thus, medications, like this one, that manage these chemicals are vital.

Reveal the uses for this medication next.

Uses

This medication treats many physical and mental health conditions. Adults with depression benefit significantly from taking this medication. It is a common treatment for anxiety disorders as well, including in both adults and children! Duloxetine is also approved to treat fibromyalgia. In fact, it is one of the only approved medications for this condition! This medication is also incredibly helpful for other causes of chronic pain. Doctors prescribe it for joint pain and lower back pain, among others. It is also effective at treating diabetic nerve pain! This medication is effective against chronic pain because it stops sodium from getting into cells. Thus, it lowers the individual's pain response!

Continue reading to uncover the side effects next.

Side Effects

This medication causes mild side effects! Examples include dizziness and fatigue. Patients will often feel sleepy during the day, so they should not drive until they adjust to the medication! Feeling sleepy during the day is magnified when patients deal with insomnia as a side effect. Constipation, diarrhea, and nausea are common mild side effects on this medication as well. They fall into the category of the flu-like symptoms that patients experience! Patients taking this medication also deal with an increased appetite, low sodium, and issues urinating. This makes it harder for them to remain hydrated!

Individuals also sweat excessively on this medication. Diabetes patients must also be ready for this medication to result in irregular blood sugar control! Skin reactions also appear over time when individuals take this medication. It leads to organ damage in some systems as well. However, this is rare! Serotonin syndrome is another rare side effect. Symptoms of this condition include agitation, hallucinations, and coma. It is a medical emergency. This means that it needs immediate attention!

Discover precautions linked to this medication next.

Precautions

Patients need to take precautions with this medication. For instance, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take it! This medication has negative effects on babies. Patients must also be aware that this medication causes suicidal thoughts in some individuals who take it. Children and adolescents are the most at risk for this side effect!

Doctors need to monitor their patients closely when they prescribe this medication. They will keep track of their mood and similar reactions in the first four months. Doctors also need to screen for bipolar disorder before they prescribe this medication to any of their patients. This is important because it triggers rapid-cycling and manic episodes in these individuals. Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes when taking this medication is vital! Both of these cause interactions. Smoking, for example, makes this medication a fair amount less effective.

Get the full details on the medication interactions next.

Medication Interactions

There are many medication interactions to be aware of with duloxetine. Patients need to talk about their current medications with their doctor! Making a list is advisable. Patients must also include any supplements and vitamins that they take on this list. This medication interacts with those that fall into the class called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Patients cannot take both! When duloxetine is still necessary, they must stop taking MAOIs and wait many days first. Many doctors recommend waiting fourteen days!

Also, patients need to tell their doctor if they take other antidepressants, especially those that impact their serotonin. Taking multiple medicines that influence serotonin puts patients at a higher risk of serotonin syndrome! ADHD medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, heart medications, and medicine for migraines also cause interactions. Patients also experience interactions with certain herbal supplements, including St. John's Wort!