Cymbalta

Generic equivalents for Cymbalta...

We also carry these generic equivalents of Cymbalta to help save you money.

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Cymbalta Prescription Drug Information

Duloxetine (By mouth)
Duloxetine (doo-LOX-e-teen)

Treats depression, anxiety, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain caused by diabetes), fibromyalgia (muscle pain and stiffness), or chronic (long-lasting) pain related to muscles and bones. Cymbalta is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI).

Brand Name(s):Cymbalta
There may be other brand names for Cymbalta.

When Cymbalta Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Cymbalta if you have had an allergic reaction to duloxetine, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine, Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. You should not use Cymbalta if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.

How to Use Cymbalta:
Delayed Release Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of Cymbalta to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take Cymbalta with or without food.
• Swallow the delayed-release capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the capsule. Do not open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on food or in liquids.
• You will need to use Cymbalta for several weeks before you begin to feel better. Keep using the medicine even if you feel you are not getting better, and talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
• Cymbalta should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.

If a dose of Cymbalta is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of Cymbalta:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Cymbalta:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), thioridazine (Mellaril®), tryptophan, or medicine to treat an infection (such as ciprofloxacin, enoxacin Ciloxan®, Cipro®, or Penetrex®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using St. John's wort, lithium (Lithane®, Lithobid®, Eskalith®), tramadol (Ultram®), other medicines to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, desipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, Celexa®, Effexor®, Lexapro™, Luvox®, Norpramin®, Paxil®, or Zoloft®), medicine to treat headaches (such as eletriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, Imitrex®, Relpax®, or Zomig®), medicine to treat an infection (such as linezolid, Levaquin®, Tequin®, or Zyvox®), or a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using a blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, lisinopril, metoprolol, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, or Toprol®), diuretic or "water pill" (such as hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], furosemide, or Lasix®), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, Rythmol®, or Tambocor®), pain or arthritis medicine, also called "NSAIDs" (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, or Motrin® ), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Cymbalta. Drinking alcohol while using Cymbalta may increase your risk of liver damage. If you regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, tell your doctor.

Warnings While Using Cymbalta:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including cirrhosis), bleeding problems, diabetes, narrow-angle glaucoma, problems with urination, digestion problems (slow bowels), or a history of seizures or mania. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high or low blood pressure, or low sodium in the blood. Also tell your doctor if you have been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
• For some teenagers and young adults, Cymbalta can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
• Stop using Cymbalta and check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
• Cymbalta may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so get up slowly. If these symptoms are bothering you or keeping you from doing your daily activities, tell your doctor right away.
• Cymbalta may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome when it is taken with certain medicines. Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Cymbalta. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
• You will need to have your blood pressure measured before starting Cymbalta and while you are using it. If you notice any change to your recommended blood pressure, call your doctor right away. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.
• Do not stop using Cymbalta suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Cymbalta. Cymbalta may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• After you stop using the medicine, call your doctor if you have mood or behavior changes, confusion, headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, tingling pain, or ringing in your ears.

Possible Side Effects While Using Cymbalta:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Aggression, anxiety, anger, or hostility.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Extreme sleepiness or drowsiness.
• Fast or uneven heartbeat, or dizziness.
• Feeling confused, nervous, restless, or clumsy.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Muscle spasms, twitching, or stiffness.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your stomach.
• Panic attacks, tremors, or feeling irritable.
• Severe nausea or diarrhea.
• Unexplained fever, sweating, or shivering.
• Unusual behavior, or thoughts about hurting yourself.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Cymbalta, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision.
• Cough, sore throat, or runny or stuffy nose.
• Decreased appetite.
• Dry mouth, constipation, upset stomach, or mild nausea or diarrhea.
• Feeling tired, or having trouble sleeping.
• Headache.
• Increased sweating.
• Problems with sex, or loss of interest in sex.
• Problems with urination.
• Skin rash.
• Weight loss.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Cymbalta, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088