Cymbalta Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: duloxetine (do LOX e teen)

Pronounced: sim-BALL-ta

Brand name: Cymbalta

Cymbalta is used to treat major depression--a disorder marked by continuing, serious, and overwhelming feelings of depression that interfere with daily functioning. This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain. In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters. Duloxetine is labeled an SNRI for serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. While you are taking Cymbalta you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. Cymbalta is believed to affect the levels of two key neurotransmitters involved in depression -- serotonin and norepinephrine -- both implicated in the complex spectrum of major depression symptoms. It is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly and Company.

Cymbalta Dosage:

• There is no evidence that doses greater than 60 mg/day confer any additional benefits.
• Cymbalta should be administered at a total dose of 60 mg/day given once a day, without regard to meals.
• Cymbalta should be administered at a total dose of 40 mg/day (given as 20 mg BID) to 60 mg/day (given either once a day or as 30 mg BID) without regard to meals.

Uses of Cymbalta:

• Cymbalta is used to treat major depression--a disorder marked by continuing, serious, and overwhelming feelings of depression that interfere with daily functioning.
• Cymbalta may also be marketed as a treatment for stress urinary incontinence.
• Duloxetine works by preventing serotonin and noradrenaline from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain.
• Cymbalta is thought to work by correcting an imbalance of two brain chemicals known to influence mood--serotonin and norepinephrine.
• It is also used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a painful nerve disorder associated with diabetes that affects the hands, legs, and feet.

Side Effects of Cymbalta:

Some common side effects reported with this medicine include:

• Appetite changes.
• Feeling anxious or nervous, increased sweating.
• Seizure (convulsions).
• Dry mouth.
• Urinary difficulties.
• Tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching.
• Insomnia.
• Fast or pounding heartbeat.
• Nausea.
• Headache.

Warnings and precautions before taking Cymbalta:

• You should not take cymbalta (duloxetine HCL) if you currently or have recently taken monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
• If you feel dizzy or light-headed at any time during treatment, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.
• The combination of transaminase elevations and elevated bilirubin, without evidence of obstruction, is generally recognized as an important predictor of severe liver injury.
• Using Cymbalta is not recommended if you have liver problems or severe kidney disease.
• Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
• You should not take cymbalta (duloxetine HCL) if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.

Overdosage:

• After taking Cymbalta, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately.
• Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences.
• Symptoms of a Cymbalta overdose may include nausea, vomiting, agitation, confusion, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
• There is limited clinical experience with Cymbalta overdose in humans.
• In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.