Get Informed: Cymbalta

131

Patient Comments about
Cymbalta

Active Ingredient(s)

Duloxetine

What does it do?

Cymbalta

This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin and norepinephrine, both important chemicals in the brain.

Last Text Update:
 2009-Nov-21 4:59 AM
Last Data Update:
 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM

Other Names

  • Cymbalta
  • Duloxetine
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
2: General
Pregnancy Category:
C

Black Box Warning

This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
03 Aug 2004
Est US Patients*
6,341,000
Generic Available
No
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

8

< 21

19

21-39

52

40-59

21

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Cymbalta or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Cymbalta

Cymbalta Safety Report

2: General

The iGuard risk rating for Cymbalta is blue. It means that Cymbalta normally has a low risk of serious or long-term side effects if used under normal medical supervision.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Cymbalta interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Cymbalta used for?

iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 37,200 patients that use Cymbalta (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Depression 74% 6
Anxiety 29% 5
Pain 16% 5
Migraine / Headache 6% 6
Fibromyalgia 4% 6
Neuropathic Pain 2% 6
Other 17% 5

How well does Cymbalta work?

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 37,200 users taking Cymbalta (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

66 63
76%
of patients are confident that the good things about Cymbalta outweigh the bad things.
26%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Cymbalta.

Common Side Effects of Cymbalta

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 37,200 users taking Cymbalta (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

52%

52% of patients experience side-effects on Cymbalta

8%

8% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Cymbalta


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 10% Weight Gain
  • 10% Fatigue
  • 5% Dry Mouth
  • 5% Drowsiness
  • 5% Sweating
  • 5% Constipation
  • 5% Nausea
  • 5% Insomnia
  • 5% Dizziness
  • 5% Mental Haziness
  • 5% Nausea/Vomiting
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Addiction, Anxiety, Back Pain, Bladder/Urinary Problems, Blurred Vision, Dental Problems, Dryness, Frequent Urination, Grogginess/Confusion, Hair Loss, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Heat Sensitivity, High Blood Pressure, Hot Flushes, Irregular Periods, Itch, Loss of Appetite, Loss of Libido, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Muscle Spasms, Numbness/Tingling, Restlessness, Sexual Problems, Sleep Problems, Sometimes Eye Dryness and Ocassional LIT, Tremor, Vaginal Dryness, Vivid Dreams, Weight Loss


Global Patient Feedback for Cymbalta (Duloxetine) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I have migraines, depression, back problems, and graves disease. I was just increased to 60mgs of cymbalta. I was taking hydrocodone for pain/migraines. In the past few day, since coming off of the hydrocodone and going up on the cymbalta, I have noticed severe muscle and joint pain. Is this from the cymbalta increase or withdrawl from the hydrocodone?

38 year old Female

Posted: 2009-10-11 20:53:57

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Approximatety 1% of iGuard patients reported back pain and muscle pain/stiffness as side effects of taking Cymbalta. In your case with a recent dose increase the muscle pain side effect may be more pronounced initially. Your pain and stiffness may also be related to coming off of the hydrocodone - perhaps that medicine was controlling your pain. You should report your symptoms to your doctor so that they can determine the cause of your muscle pain, whether it is drug related or if it is related to your existing medical conditions.


Posted: 2009-11-03 22:55:32

Question/Comment:

I've been increased from 60 to 90 mg. SWEATING LIKE CRAZY!!!! No other bad side effects that I've noticed

53 year old Female

Posted: 2009-10-08 00:40:36

Question/Comment:

Hi:

I've been taking Cymbalta for many years - at least 3 years @ 90 mg a day. Now I'm going off the med Doc had me decrease by 30 mg every 4 days. Supossed to start new med tomorrow. I feel lik ecrap! Loose stools, fuzzy brain feeling, hor flashes, sweats, dizziness, headache, and just a feeling of falling apart, hard to exp;ain. I should have asked what to expect, funny how the doc doesn't warn you.

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS? WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH? HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? I NEED HELP!

THANKS SO MUCH!

KAT >^..^<

48 year old Female

Posted: 2009-10-06 13:53:25

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

You should contact your doctor to report your side effects and determine if a slower rate of tapering down the Cymbalta may be needed. This may help reduce the side effects you are experiencing now. In addition, your doctor can determine if there is another underlying cause for the symptoms you are experiencing.

Posted: 2009-11-03 23:07:34

Question/Comment:

yes, I was diagnosed with hep c in 2000 and suffer from alot of chronic pain. The doctor says my geno-type is less likely to respond to the interferon treatments they offer today, and have a 50/50 chance but because I now suffer from severe depression, they wont give me the treatment. I'm currently taking 120mg of cymbalta, yet my pain is not subsiding. My quality of life is truly degraded with fatique and no energy on top of this pain. Mainly in my muscles,tendons,ect.Theres' got to be something else to make me more comfortable.Would there be anyone out there who knows so I can dicuss this with my doctor. Thank you!

52 year old Female

Posted: 2009-09-30 18:22:54

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

There are many different pain treatments available and the best one for you will depend on the type of pain that you have as well as other medical conditions that you have. Below are some common medicines that are used to treat pain:

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - These medicines are used to treat pain and inflammation. Some examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and many others.

Narcotics - These medicines are used to treat severe pain. Some examples include oxycodone and morphine. There is also tramadol (Ultram) which is a medicine that has opioid like properties, but fewer risks for dependency and other side effects.

Finally, there are two medicines, gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) that are used to treat diabetic nerve pain and is sometimes prescribed "off-label" to treat other pain conditions. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is also approved to treat the condition of fibromyalgia.

However, some of these medications may not be right for your type of pain and other medical conditions - your doctor is the best person to decide which pain medication is right for you.

Posted: 2009-11-01 21:16:11

Question/Comment:

I have been taking Cymbalta (60mg) for 4 years for nerve pain. I have recently started coming off of it and the discontinuation symptoms are not fun. I get the parathesia or as I call them "brain zaps" and have had a persistent on and off headache for most of the 4 days so far. I had my first "fun" pins and needles/brain zap combo. I wish I had been told that this could happen when you decide to come off of this drug.

28 year old Female

Posted: 2009-09-15 01:15:29

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DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.

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