Cymbalta Medication: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects
July 25, 2008

The Cymbalta drug for anxiety has side effects that you need to be aware of.

Cymbalta medication, manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved antidepressant medication. Its medical name is Duloxetine Hydrochloride and it belongs to a class of drugs known as ‘dual uptake inhibitors’. Dual uptake inhibitor is that class of drugs that affects the reuptake of two neurotransmitters instead of one.

What are the Uses of Cymbalta Medication?

Cymbalta medication is used to give relief from both the emotional and physical symptoms that are associated with depression. It is used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). However, it may also be used for some other problems.

How Cymbalta Medication is supplied?

Cymbalta medication (Duloxetine Hydrochloride) is available in form of delayed-release and capsules under the strengths of 20 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg.

What is the mechanism of action of Cymbalta Medication?

There are of two naturally occurring chemicals in the brain and body of human beings which are named as:

Serotonin
Norepinephrine

Researches have shown that these natural chemicals play a vital role in both major depressive disorder (MDD) and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). The work of Cymbalta medication is to help in restoring the balance of these two naturally occurring chemicals in the brain and body.

What is the recommended dose of Cymbalta Medication?

Be sure to take Cymbalta medication regularly and exactly as advised by your medical professional or doctor. You should not stop taking it without consulting with your health provider. However, the recommended dose for Cymbalta medication is 60 mg capsule taken once a day.

It has been noticed that the discontinuation syndrome for Cymbalta appears to be as harsh as that of Effexor (venlafaxine). So if you want to stop this medicine you should do it slowly.

What to do if I take Overdose of Cymbalta Medication?

You should not overdose yourself. However, if it happens you should immediately contact your medical professional or doctor. If it’s a case of non emergencies then you may visit your local or regional poison control center.

What to do if I take Missed Dose of Cymbalta Medication?

If you have missed your dose of Cymbalta medication, take it as soon as you realize. But if you realize it at the time for your next dose then you should carry on with your regular schedule of dose and forget about the missed dose. It is not recommended to take a double dose in order to make up for a missed one.

Are there any Interactions of Cymbalta Medication with other Drugs?

Cymbalta Medication like all other medicines may or may not have interactions with other drugs. However, there is a potential for interactions depending upon the class of other drug. So, it is a must that:

You should tell your doctor or medical professional about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking, or plan to take.
There is a class of drug known as "MAO inhibitors" which cannot be taken with Cymbalta medication. So, if you are taking any medicine from that class you should stop it 14 days before starting Cymbalta medication.
You should avoid remedies while taking Cymbalta medication.

What are the other types of drugs that Interact with Cymbalta Medication?

Apart from MAO inhibitors, there are a large variety of drugs that you may or may not be able to mix with Cymbalta medication. These drugs may include:

An antiarrhythmic such as flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol) etc.
A tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor) etc.
Venlafaxine which is most commonly known as Effexor.
A phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine) etc.
A quinolone antibiotic such as trovafloxacin (Trovan), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin) etc.
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), fluvoxamine (Luvox) etc.

What are the side effects of Cymbalta Medication?

Lessened side effects of Cymbalta medication have been reported. Some of the most common side effects of Cymbalta medication are listed below:

It may cause nausea
It may cause decreased or poor appetite
It may cause dry mouth
It may cause constipation
It may cause fatigue
It may cause headache
It may cause lightheadedness
It may cause sexual problems
It may cause somnolence
It may cause increased sweating
It may cause nervousness
It may cause insomnia
It may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
It may result in some sort of changes in personality of the patient such as increased agitation or talk of suicide.

If you are suffering from any of these troublesome side effects for a longer duration you should immediately consult your doctor or medical professional.

What are the Precautions for the Use of Cymbalta Medication?

Below is the list of certain precautions necessary to take while using Cymbalta Medication:

You should not use alcoholic beverages with Cymbalta medication as they can increase the effects of this medicine
You should tell your doctor about your history (if any) of alcohol abuse, narrow-angled glaucoma or kidney problems before starting Cymbalta medication.
You should immediately consult your medical professional if you are feeling more agitated with the use of this medication.
If you are allergic to duloxetine hydrochloride or the other ingredients of Cymbalta medication then you should avoid it.
You should not drive after taking this medicine. And if you do, you should be very cautious when driving or performing other hazardous activities.
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed,
Keep it away from the reach of children.
Cymbalta Medication should be stored at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.
Outdated and expired medication should be thrown away. You should take the assistance of your pharmacist about the proper disposal of expired medication.

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