Get Informed: Duloxetine
Active Ingredient(s)
Duloxetine
What does it do?
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:
- 2010-Mar-13 7:12 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Cymbalta
- Duloxetine
- Duloxetine Hydrochloride
- Yentreve
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- 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*
- 6,262,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Duloxetine or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Duloxetine
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Duloxetine during the past year.
Duloxetine Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Duloxetine interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Duloxetine used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 41,500 patients that use Duloxetine (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 | 70% | 
|
| Anxiety | 32% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 32% | 
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 26% |
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 20% |
|
| Pain-Generalized | 18% |
|
| Migraine/Headache | 8% |
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 4% |
|
| Attention Deficit Disorder | 2% |
|
| Other | 1% | 
|
How well does Duloxetine work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 41,500 users taking Duloxetine (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)
- 82%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Duloxetine outweigh the bad things.
- 13%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Duloxetine.
Common Side Effects of Duloxetine
iGuard regularly polls our more than 41,500 users taking Duloxetine (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.
35% of patients experience side-effects on Duloxetine
7% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Duloxetine
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Dryness
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Constipation
-
Dizziness
-
Weight Gain
-
Fatigue
-
Drowsiness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Balance/Coordination Problems, Bruising, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, High Cholesterol, Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Liver Problems, Loss of Libido, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes, Numbness/Tingling, Palpitations, Sweating, Vision Changes, Withdrawal Problems
Global Patient Feedback for Duloxetine ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Has anyone experianced deeper depression and suicide ideation or failed suicide attempt within the first 3 weeks of starting Cymbalta or Lexapro?
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-26 00:34:48
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Both Cymbalta and Lexapro can cause suicidal ideation during the initial treatment. Report this immediately to your doctor. There are other medications that can be prescribed. If you are not seeing a therapist, perhaps your doctor can recommend one. If you need immediate help or someone to talk to, you can call the suicide hotlines in the U.S: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Posted: 2010-02-26 13:07:49
Question/Comment:
i find that it is really hard to get more than 4 hrs of sleep while taking this medicine. i have been taking this medicine for 4yrs now and it is the only medicine that helps me. is there anything that i can do to get more that 4 hrs of sleep/
Posted: 2010-02-25 15:27:27
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Typically duloxetine may cause symptoms of drowsiness. If your symptoms of sleeplessness are persisting or affecting your daily life, you need to discuss them with your physician. There may be options for you to help your sleep. Your physician would be able to best make that recommendation based on your medical history or your medication record. You should discuss your symptoms with your doctor and discuss the safest medication or treatment plan for you.
Posted: 2010-02-25 22:50:09
Question/Comment:
Has anyone experienced vivid, complicated, detailed dreams? I'm having several a night and am finding it hard to wake up from them until they are finished. If I am able to wake up, when I go back to sleep I go back into the dream. I've been taking the Cymbalta about 3 weeks now and have been experiencing severe nausea and very, very poor appetite I'm doing good most days to eat 2 meals. (Even the thought of food makes me nauseated.) This is playing havoc with my diabetes. I'm experiencing low blood sugars less than 100 consistently. I'm scared of the hypoglycemia.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-23 03:23:15
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Abnormal dreams have been reported by a small number of patients. It can take a few weeks to adjust to Cymbalta, so it may be a matter of a few more weeks until you are feeling better. As you continue taking the duloxetine, your body should get used to the medication and the dreams should decrease. Let your doctor know of the low blood sugar readings and the severity of your sleep disturbances and discuss whether or not you need to adjust your medications.
Posted: 2010-02-24 12:15:42
Answer/Reply:
Hi just thought I would answer your question about Cymbalta. My doctor started me out on a lower dose. This seems to work better. and yes you do have vivid dreams. But I think your doctor may have you on a very high dose. I am only taking 60 mg.. I did have nausea the first few weeks but that went away after a while.. I have felt so much better than I ever have.. It seems like a miracle drug to me. I have lost 40 lbs.. and feel great.. finally I can focus and started college, doing great.
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-03 02:47:24
Answer/Reply:
I was taking Wellbutrin and Klonopin, and I also have GAD / panic disoder. But now I take Pristiq along with Klonpin and it works so well, that it amazes me. I have been on 100mg of Pristiq for 7 months now, and even in the begining week of 50mg, and even the side effects I had was a dry mouth, and lack of sex drive.
Pristiq seems to be so much better, with a lot less side effects.
Perhaps you can talk to your doctor about it.
41 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-06 16:18:45
Question/Comment:
I tried this drug, one 30mg, supposed to start 60mg after a week of 30mg. Within an hour I was drowsy, nauseated, & dizzy. After 4 hours I couldn't function & had to go home. 24 hours later, I couldn't even stand up without almost blacking out. Took Lexapro a few years back, had bad side effects but not this bad. I'm afraid to try anything else. I have GAD & panic attacks w/depression. I know it takes awhile to adapt to the effects but I don't have 1-2 weeks to feel like crap. Any suggestions?
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-11 15:48:36
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Drowsiness, nausea and dizziness are all side effects of Cymbalta, and unfortunately can take a few weeks to resolve. Cymbalta is available in 20 mg capsules, perhaps your doctor wants to start you at a lower strength and titrate up more slowly. There are many other medications that help with GAD and panic and depression, such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Wellbutrin, to name a few. Sometimes Xanax is prescribed along with one of these medications to help with panic attacks. Speak with your doctor if the side effects of Cymbalta are unbearable.
Posted: 2010-02-17 12:25:18
Question/Comment:
I tried Cymbalta & within a few days I had feelings of severe tightening of scalp right side, then r/eyelid would droop & eye very tender to touch & pupil would dilate, area in front of and r/ear began to be numb, each day it got worse finally called dr & was told stop taking it. No one including dr or drug company could tell me the why for this, started lexapro, had taken it b4 on 10th day same thing started again. Can anyone tell me why? Now on no med for depression but need to be any ideas?
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-20 19:00:08
iGuard Answer/Reply:
It sounds as if you have an intolerance to this type of medication. Cymbalta and Lexapro are in different classes of medications, but they are similar in the way they work and can have similar side effects. Both Cymbalta and Lexapro have involuntary movements as reported side effects, which could explain some of your symptoms.
There are older medications that can be used for your depression. Amitriptyline and bupropion (Wellbutrin) are two that work a little differently than Cymbalta and Lexapro and so might not have the same side effects that you've experienced with these two. Follow up with your doctor for further suggestions. If you are not receiving counseling, you may want to ask your doctor to recommend a therapist.
Posted: 2010-01-22 10:19:25
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Cymbalta for 7 years, prior to this I tried Lexapro and Welbutrin. Cymblata has worked better than anything, however, I have profuse sweating that is very bad (neck and head mostly) I would give almost anything to find a remedy for this.
79 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-11 12:19:20
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Cymbalta can cause excessive sweating, and some side effects are worse in some patients than in others. If the excessive sweating is affecting your quality of life, make an appointment with your physician to discuss adjusting your dose or changing your medication.
Posted: 2010-02-21 13:41:36
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Duloxetine