Cymbalta online

Item name:

Cymbalta (duloxetine) EliLilly

Generic name:

duloxetine

Brand names:

Cymbalta

Item info:

Duloxetine is an antidepressant medication. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. Duloxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and for the management of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Drug class:

Antidepressant

Interactions:

Do not take duloxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Wait at least 5 days after you stop taking duloxetine before taking a MAOI. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together.

Also, do not take duloxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping duloxetine before taking thioridazine (Mellaril).

Before taking duloxetine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• an antiarrhythmic such as flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol), and others;
• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
• venlafaxine (Effexor);
• a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others;
• a quinolone antibiotic such as trovafloxacin (Trovan), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;
• quinidine; or
• a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and others.

You may not be able to take duloxetine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with duloxetine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Side effects:

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking duloxetine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
• low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
• high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
• chills or fever;
• unusual bleeding or bruising;
• a rash or hives.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking duloxetine and talk to your doctor:

• headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
• difficulty concentrating;
• constipation;
• nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
• weakness;
• increased sweating;
• sleepiness or insomnia; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Prescription needed / OTC:

RX Only

Dosage: Take duloxetine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with water.

Duloxetine capsules should be swallowed whole and should not be chewed or crushed, nor should the contents be sprinkled on food or mixed with liquids.

Duloxetine may be taken with or without food.

Try to take duloxetine at the same time each day. Do not stop taking duloxetine without first talking to your doctor.

It may take several weeks before you start feeling better. It is important to take duloxetine regularly to get the most benefit. Your doctor may want to perform tests or schedule appointments to monitor your treatment with duloxetine.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Duloxetine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Avoid alcohol during treatment with duloxetine. Together, alcohol and duloxetine can be damaging to the liver.

Contraindications:

While you are taking duloxetine you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking duloxetine. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or actions.

Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with duloxetine.

Do not stop taking duloxetine.

Do not take duloxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Wait at least 5 days after you stop taking duloxetine before taking a MAOI. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together.

Also, do not take duloxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping duloxetine before taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Duloxetine may cause liver injury. Talk to your doctor before taking duloxetine if you have or have had liver problems or drink alcohol regularly. Tell your doctor about any medications you have been taking, even if you have stopped taking them, before you take duloxetine.

Talk to your doctor before taking any other medications after you stop taking duloxetine.

Before taking duloxetine, tell your doctor if you:

•   have liver disease; 
•  have kidney disease; 
•  narrow angle glaucoma; 
•  have diabetes; 
•  drink alcohol regularly; 
•  have high blood pressure; 
•  suffer from seizures; or 
•  suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts.

You may not be able to take duloxetine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Duloxetine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. Babies exposed to duloxetine and/ or other drugs of the same class during the third trimester of pregnancy may develop medical complications. Discuss the risks with your doctor. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Duloxetine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take duloxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Storage:

Store duloxetine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Depression Medications

• Celexa
• Cymbalta
• Effexor-XR
• Lexapro
• Paxil
• Wellbutrin
• Wellbutrin-SR
• Wellbutrin-XL
• Zoloft