What is Cymbalta: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Cymbalta

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine before you start taking it.

• Cymbalta capsules can be taken with or without food.

• Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, chew, break, open it, or sprinkle the contents on food. 

• Store Cymbalta capsules at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

What to do if you miss a dose of Cymbalta

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. 

• Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

Cymbalta contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have:

  • Allergies to duloxetine

  • Chronic liver disease

Cymbalta warnings

• Tell any healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• Your healthcare provider may perform regular checkups and blood tests to monitor the treatment's effectiveness and possible side effects. Keep all appointments.

• Before prescribing Cymbalta, the healthcare provider will need to know if you have:

  • Kidney problems

  • Liver problems

  • Heart problems

  • High blood pressure

  • Diabetes

  • Glaucoma

  • A history of seizures

  • Bleeding problems

  • Delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis)

  • Low sodium levels

  • Bipolar disorder or mania

• Tell the healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.

• Duloxetine can cause serious problems including:

  • Liver problems, including liver failure

  • Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening side effect of taking drugs like antidepressants

  • Bleeding

  • Changes in blood pressure

  • Low blood pressure when standing, resulting in fainting, falls, and injury

  • Glaucoma

  • Low sodium

  • Seizures

  • Activation of mania or hypomania

  • Urination problems

  • Sexual dysfunction

• Duloxetine increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Call a healthcare provider immediately if you notice signs of worsening depression and suicidal thoughts, including:

  • New or worse depression

  • New or worse anxiety

  • Thoughts about suicide or self-harm

  • Suicide attempts

  • Other unusual changes in mood or behavior

• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. It could also make you feel dizzy or faint when standing up or changing position. Do not drive or do anything else that’s risky until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to the healthcare provider.

Cymbalta interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, make sure the healthcare provider knows about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements you are using before taking Cymbalta.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other. The combination could cause severe side effects.

• Some medicines can affect how duloxetine works or increase the risk of side effects. In some cases, duloxetine can make other medications less effective. Make sure to tell the prescriber if you are regularly taking:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen

  • Blood thinners such as warfarin

  • Blood pressure drugs

  • Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

  • Heart rhythm drugs

  • Drugs that treat mood disorders or other psychiatric problems, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, amphetamines, antipsychotics, or lithium

  • Migraine headache medications called triptans

  • The antibiotics ciprofloxacin or enoxacin

  • The stomach acid reducer cimetidine

  • The bronchodilator theophylline

  • The herbal supplement St. John‘s wort

• Tell the healthcare provider if you are taking any drugs that make you sleepy, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, sleeping aids, or sedative antihistamines.

• Avoid alcohol when taking Cymbalta since both can damage the liver. Healthcare providers may not prescribe Cymbalta to people who drink large amounts of alcohol.

Find more information about duloxetine interactions to avoid here.