Medication Profile: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Brand name(s): Cymbalta, Yentreve.

Generic name(s): Duloxetine.

Street name(s), if any: Unknown.

Available form(s): Oral.

Available dose(s): 30mg, 60mg.

North American availability: Available by prescription in the U.S. and Canada.

Class(es): SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor).

Method(s) of action: Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, making larger quantities of those chemicals available for use.

Most commonly prescribed for: Depression.

Also prescribed for: Stress Urinary Incontinence, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Possible side effect(s): Palpitations, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, vertigo, ear pain, tinnitus, hypothyroidism, diplopia, visual disturbance, flatulence, eructation, gastritis, halitosis, stomatitis, gastric ulcer, hematochezia, melena, chills/rigors, feeling abnormal, feeling hot and/or cold, malaise, thirst, gait disturbance, gastroenteritis, laryngitis, weight gain, increased blood cholesterol, dehydration, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, musculoskeletal pain, muscle tightness, muscle twitching, dysguesia, lethargy, parasthesia/hypoesthesia, disturbance in attention, dyskinesia, myoclonus, poor quality sleep, dysarthria, abnormal dreams, sleep disorder, apathy, bruxism, disorientation/confused state, irritability, mood swings, suicidality, dysuria, micturition urgency, nocturia, polyuria, abnormal urine odor, anorgasmia, abnormal orgasm, menopausal symptoms, sexual dysfunction, yawning, throat tightness, cold sweat, contact dermatitis, erythema, increased tendency to bruise, night sweats, photosensitivity, ecchymosis, hot flush, flushing, orthostatic hypotension, peripheral coldness.

Possibility of tolerance: Possible.

Addictive potential: Low.

Withdrawal potential: Moderate.

Withdrawal symptoms: Irregular heartbeat, “brain zaps”, speech impairment, emotional lability, dizziness, dysphoric mood, agitation, sensory disturbances, anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, seizures.

Potential for abuse/misuse: Low.

Drug interaction(s): Fluvoxamine, Cimetidine, Ciprofloxacin, Enoxacin: Increases the effect of Cymbalta.
Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Quinidine: Increases the concentration of Cymbalta.
NSAIDs, Warfarin, and Aspirin: Altered anticoagulant effects, including increased bleeding.
Desipramine: Increases the concentration of Desipramine.
MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors): May cause hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs, agitation, delirium, and coma.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors): May cause serotonin syndrome.
St. John’s Wort: May cause serotonin syndrome.
Triptans: May cause serotonin syndrome.
Linezolid: May cause serotonin syndrome.
Lithium: May cause serotonin syndrome.
Tramadol: May cause serotonin syndrome.
Tryptophan: May cause serotonin syndrome.

Contraindication(s): Hypersensitivity to Duloxetine or any of the ingredients in Cymbalta or Yentreve, concomitant use of MAOIs, uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, simultaneous use of CNS-active (Central Nervous System) drugs, simultaneous use of Thioridizine.

Overdose threshold: Unknown.

Symptoms of overdose: Somnolence, coma, serotonin syndrome, seizures, syncope, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension, vomiting.

Note: I am not a doctor, and the information I state on my blog is gathered from internet sources and physician’s handbooks. Therefore, it is important to speak to your doctor if you are unclear about something or if you have more questions that I am not qualified to answer.

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