General Description of Cymbalta
What Is Cymbalta?
Cymbalta is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder, as well as for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).
Cymbalta offers relief from both the emotional and physical symptoms that are associated with depression. It works to help restore the balance and increase the levels of two naturally occurring chemicals in the brain and body that experts believe are related to both depression and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).
How Cymbalta Works
Cymbalta works to help restore the balance of two naturally occurring chemicals in the brain and body: serotonin and norepinephrine. Research suggests that these chemicals play a role in both depression and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).
In the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine are associated with transmission of thoughts and feelings. Throughout the body, these chemicals help "turn down" the volume of pain signals. If these chemicals are out of balance, you may experience emotional symptoms, like depressed mood, or physical symptoms, like aches and pains.
Cymbalta helps restore both serotonin and norepinephrine. By addressing both, Cymbalta effectively relieves a broad range of depression symptoms. Cymbalta also effectively manages diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).
How Can Cymbalta Help?
Cymbalta has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of major depression, as well as the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). Cymbalta is available in pharmacies.
Cymbalta addresses both the emotional and physical symptoms of depression. In clinical studies, many people began to show improvement in both emotional and physical symptoms in as early as one to four weeks. However, results may vary from person to person.
In a separate clinical study, many people suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). felt significant relief in as little as one week, with continued improvement over the 12-week course. Patients also felt significant pain relief at night in as little as one week, with continued improvement over the 12-week course.
Of course, Cymbalta is not for everyone. As with any prescription medication, it helps to be aware of the most common side effects and potential risks associated with treatment. For complete product information refer to the full prescribing information.
Precautions for Taking Cymbalta
You should NOT take Cymbalta if:
- You are allergic to duloxetine hydrochloride or other ingredients in Cymbalta.
- You currently or have recently taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
- You are taking thioridazine.
- You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.
Depression, as a disease, can be associated with periods when the symptoms can worsen or thoughts of suicide can emerge. If you have thoughts of suicide, call your physician immediately. Patients and their families should watch for these as well as for anxiety, agitation, panic, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness or overexcitement and hyperactivity. Call the doctor if any of these are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
Tell your doctor if you:
- Have serious liver or kidney problems or glaucoma.
- Are pregnant or nursing.
- Consume large quantities of alcohol.
- Are taking other prescription or nonprescription medications.
If you have questions, talk to your doctor before taking Cymbalta.
For additional safety information, please refer to the full prescribing information for healthcare professionals (PDF: 77KB).
Possible Side Effects of Cymbalta
In clinical studies for depression, the most common side effect when taking Cymbalta was nausea. For most people, the nausea was mild to moderate, and usually subsided within one to two weeks. Other common side effects were dry mouth, constipation, decreased appetite, fatigue, sleepiness, and increased sweating. Most people were not bothered enough by side effects to stop taking Cymbalta. Your doctor may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta.
In clinical studies for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP), the most common side effect when taking Cymbalta was nausea. For most people, the nausea was mild to moderate, and usually subsided within one to two weeks. Other common side effects were sleepiness, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, decreased appetite, and muscle weakness. Most people were not bothered enough by side effects to stop taking Cymbalta. Your doctor may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta.