Brand Name

Cymbalta {Lilly}

Generic Name

duloxetine, pronounced du LOX e teen

 

What is Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is the brand name of a prescription drug made by Eli Lilly and Company. The generic name of the drug is duloxetine. It is pronounced as du-lox-e-teen. Cymbalta is prescribed to adults suffering from depression and anxiety.

It is widely used as an antidepressant but is also prescribed for fibromyalgia, also known as fibrositis. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by muscle pain and tenderness. Cymbalta may be prescribed for other reasons.

 

Key Facts About Cymbalta

Cymbalta is an SSNRI drug. SSNRI is a select group of medicines that act as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Cymbalta aims to neutralize the chemical imbalance that causes anxiety and depression. The drug is usually recommended for those suffering from anxiety disorder and clinical depression. Cymbalta is widely prescribed for adults suffering from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia symptoms may be similar to arthritis and osteoarthritis but they are not the same and are unrelated.

Cymbalta should not be taken with Mellaril or thioridazine, Furoxone or furazolidone, Marplan or isocarboxazid, Nardil or phenelzine, Azilect or rasagiline, Eldepryl or selegiline, Emsam or Zelapar and Parnate or tranylcypromine. These medicines react with Cymbalta and cause dangerous side effects.

Many people, especially young adults, report having suicidal thoughts after they start to take Cymbalta. If you have such experiences then you should immediately speak with your doctor. It is better if you regularly consult with your physician during the first twelve weeks of the course.

Cymbalta has some side effects and the symptoms of depression or anxiety may not subside immediately after you start taking the drug. You may experience panic attacks, impulsiveness, aggression, irritability, mood swings, hyperactivity and you could have trouble sleeping. All such symptoms should be reported, urgently if they get worse. New symptoms should also be reported to the doctor.

Once you start taking the drug, do not indulge in alcohol consumption. The interaction will raise the chances of liver damage. The drug can also interfere with your reasoning, thinking and reactions. It is imperative that you remain meticulous while driving or when you are doing anything that demands complete focus or attention. The first few weeks are the most trying for most people.

 

Before You Take Cymbalta

Do not take the drug if you have had allergic reactions to duloxetine.

Avoid the drug if you are taking Mellaril or thioridazine.

You may stop the latter before you start on Cymbalta. You should discuss your complete medication history and list all the medicines you are taking at the moment so your doctor can alert you of interactions or recommend you to stop taking the drugs that would have serious interference with Cymbalta.

You would perhaps be asked to stop Furoxone, Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam and Parnate. You cannot switch from any of these MAO inhibitors to Cymbalta immediately. You should wait for a fortnight.

If you have to resume taking any of these inhibitors, then you should speak with your doctor. Usually, you would have wait for five days or longer before you can switch from Cymbalta to the inhibitors.

Cymbalta should not be taken by adults suffering from glaucoma, liver disease and kidney disease. Anyone with a history of bipolar disorder, manic depression, drug abuse and suicidal tendencies or even thoughts of self-harm should share the same with the doctor.

If you have epilepsy or have had seizures in the past, if you have a blood clotting or bleeding disorder, then Cymbalta may not be ideal for you.

Cymbalta is classified as pregnancy category C by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This effectively means that Cymbalta is not safe for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Little is known about how the drug affects the fetus.

It is known that the active ingredients in the drug passes on to and interacts with breast milk.
Cymbalta is not prescribed to minors, anyone younger than eighteen years of age at the time of recommending the drug. The side effects of the drug are much more profound in older adults and senior citizens.

 

Cymbalta Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• almotriptan (Axert)
• antidepressants like desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), or paroxetine (Paxil)
• aspirin
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• cold or allergy medications, over the counter
• diclofenac (Voltaren)
• diuretics (water pills)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• frovatriptan (Frova)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• nabumetone (Relafen)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• naratriptan (Amerge)
• piroxicam (Feldene)
• rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• St. John’s wort
• sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• tramadol (Ultram)
• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan)
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Cymbalta interacts with Axert or almotriptan. It will interfere with other antidepressants, such as Norpramin or desipramine, Prozac and Sarafem or fluoxetine and Paxil or paroxetine. The drug can also interact with vitamins, health supplements including herbal blends or shakes and over the counter medication. You should not only share your medical history and medications you are taking now but also any new drug that you may start to take alongside Cymbalta.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking aspirin, Tagamet or cimetidine, Cipro or ciprofloxacin, any over the counter medications for allergy or cold, Voltaren or diclofenac, water pills or diuretics, Lodine or etodolac, Luvox or fluvoxamine, Frova or frovatriptan, Motrin and Advil or ibuprofen, indomethacin, Zyvox or linezolid, Eskalith and Lithobid or lithium, Relafen or nabumetone, Naprosyn and Aleve or naproxen, Amerge or naratriptan, Feldene or piroxicam, Maxalt or rizatriptan, Imitrex or sumatriptan, Ultram or tramadol, tryptophan, Coumadin or warfarin and Zomig or zolmitriptan.

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Cymbalta. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Cymbalta

Your doctor will prescribe the exact dosage, course and instructions while recommending Cymbalta. You should adhere to those and not make any changes. Do not cut the course short and do not prolong the treatment unless your doctor advises you to. The drug should be taken every day as per the schedule.

You should not chew, break or crush the capsule. Do not open the capsule. It is meant to have a delayed release in your system.

Cymbalta does not have an immediate impact on symptoms. Most of the symptoms you experience will begin to subside in the fourth week and onward. You should not stop taking the drug before the course is over, regardless of the improvement. Keep your stock of capsules at a dry place, away from heat and light.

Don’t keep it in the fridge. Room temperature is fine. Don’t miss any dose of Cymbalta. If you do, then try to take it as soon as you can but don’t have two doses at the same time.

 

Cymbalta Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Cymbalta and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• aggressive, agitated or hostile behavior
• anxiety or panic attacks
• bruising easily or more often
• clay colored stools
• depression that has increased
• difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• extreme itching
• feeling faint
• fever
• hallucinations
• headaches
• increased heart rate
• insomnia or trouble sleeping
• jaundice
• overactive reflexes
• restlessness or hyperactivity
• skin reaction that is severe and accompanied by a fever, sore throat, swelling of your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, and culminating with a red or purple skin rash that spreads in your face or upper body and causes blistering and peeling.
• stiff or rigid muscles
• trouble breathing or shallow breath
• suicidal thoughts or thought about hurting yourself
• unsteady gait or difficulty walking
• unusual bleeding
• urine which is dark in color

Less serious side effects of Cymbalta may include:

• constipation
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• loss of appetite
• mild nausea

There are many known side effects of Cymbalta. You may experience allergies such as hives, breathing problem and swelling in your lips, face, tongue or throat. Aggression, hostile behavior and a sense of agitation are common.

Panic attacks and anxiety, bruising, bouts of depression, itching sensations, lack of concentration, trouble recollecting memories, fever, headaches, hallucinations, sleeping problem including insomnia, overactive reflexes, restlessness and jaundice are other known side effects. You may have clay colored stools.

Regardless of the type of side effect you experience, if it is discomforting or substantial serious, you should immediately contact your doctor and opt for emergency medical care.

You may also experience a burning sensation in the eyes, pain in your skin accompanied by rash, reddishness or tinges of purple and that would spread across the torso and face, resulting in peeling and blisters. You might feel rigidity or stiffness in your muscles, breathing may be shallow, gait may be unsteady and your urine may be darker than usual. Some of the milder side effects of Cymbalta are drowsiness, constipation, appetite loss, dry mouth and nausea.

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Cymbalta. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Cymbalta Description and Dosing

Cymbalta comes in 20 mg to 60 mg dosages. You may be recommended the green 20 mg, white 30 mg or green and blue 60 mg capsules. Dosage varies from person to person. Any changes to dosage should be made by the doctor.

Cymbalta is available in the United States from Lilly in the following dosages, which are all delayed release capsules:

20 mg opaque green capsules imprinted with “Lilly 3235 20mg”

30 mg opaque white and blue capsules imprinted with “Lilly 3240 30mg”

60 mg opaque green and blue capsules imprinted with “Lilly 3237 60mg”

The dose of Cymbalta is based on each individual. Your doctor will tell you what dose of Cymbalta is right for you and will treat your condition effectively.

All people taking Cymbalta should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Cymbalta you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Cymbalta

Duloxetine is the main ingredient in each Cymbalta capsule. Every capsule also contains gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, sugar spheres, sucrose, hypromellose, talc, triethyl citrate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, titanium dioxide and FD&C Blue No. 2. The 20 mg and 60 mg capsules have iron oxide.

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