Cymbalta Antidepresant drug Benefits: dual uptake inhibitors

Other Name: Yentreve, Ariclaim

Cymbalta's Generic Name: duloxetine hydrochloride hcl

What is Cymbalta medication/Antidepressants?

Cymbalta, a brand name from Eli Lilly for a drug called duloxetine, is in a class of drugs known as dual uptake inhibitors. Cymbalta medically formulated as Duloxetine Hydrochloride is a new revolutionary antidepressent. What is interesting is that it is SNRI (serotonin and noradrenaline uptake inhibitor) in which previously only Effexor was the only FDA approved drug it that class. At this time very few effectiveness studies are available for cymbalta.

Uses and benefits of Cymbalta:

Cymbalta offers relief from both the emotional and physical symptoms that are associated with depression. Cymbalta is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (approved 4 August, 2004), as well as for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP - approved 7 September 2004). A new antidepressant called duloxetine improved symptoms of fibromyalgia -- a chronic and painful musculoskeletal disorder in women.

What is the most important information I should know about Cymbalta?

You can have a greater risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the beginning of the treatment with a drug of antidepressant, particularly if you are below 18 years of. Discussion with your doctor about this risk. While you take Cymbalta you will have to be supervised to worsen of the symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of the treatment, or all the times that your amount is changed. In more of you observing for changes of your own symptoms, your family or others caregivers should be alert with the changes of your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will have to examine you with the regular visits to ensure at least the first 12 weeks of the treatment.

Avoid employing other medicines which return to you somnolent (like cold medicine, the drug of pain, the relaxers of muscle, medicine for seizures, any other drug for the depression or concern). They can add to the somnolence caused by Cymbalta.

Contact your doctor promptly if you have unspecified following side effects, particularly if they are new symptoms or if they become worse: changes of mood, concern, attacks of panic, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, serious agitation, mania (mental hyperactivity and/or physics), thought of suicide or being wounded. Do not take Cymbalta as well as the thioridazine (Mellaril), or an inhibitor of oxydase of monoamine (MAOI) like the isocarboxazid (Marplan), the phenelzine (Nardil), the rasagiline (Azilect), the selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or the tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stop of a MAOI before you can take Cymbalta. After you cease taking Cymbalta, you must wait at least during 5 days before you start to take a MAOI.

Cymbalta can cause the side effects which can deteriorate your thought or reactions. Made attention if you lead or do all that requires you to be waked up and alert.

How Cymbalta drug works?

Cymbalta works to help restore the balance of two naturally occurring chemicals in the brain and body: serotonin and norepinephrine. Research suggests that these chemicals play a role in both depression and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). Dual uptake inhibitor means -- it simply means a drug that affects the reuptake of two neurotransmitters instead of one.

Lessened side effects for this class of drug (SNRI & SSRI) reported. No weight gain. Antidepressant effects should be reached after one week. People who are allergic to duloxetine hydrochloride or the other ingredients in Cymbalta should not take it. If you are taking thioridazine or if you are taking or have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), you should not take Cymbalta. Find the side effects associated with Cymbalta.

How to Take Cymbalta:

Take this medicine as directed. Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly without consulting with your doctor. Cymbalta comes in a capsule and can be taken once a day. The recommended daily dose for Cymbalta is 60 mg. It appears as if the discontinuation syndrome for Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) might be as harsh as that of Effexor (venlafaxine). So if you have to stop taking, be careful and do so slowly.

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:

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

Cymbalta and Pregnancy

Cymbalta till now is generally not being prescribed to pregnant women. Cymbalta is a class C drug, which means that it can and will be passed onto your baby and he or she could develop medical conditions as a result. Many women become pregnant when taking Cymbalta and their doctors typically choose to take them off the drug during the third trimester, when medical complications usually arise as a result of taking this drug. Cymbalta is also known to be passed through the mothers breast milk hence doctors suggest to refrain from taking the drug while breast-feeding an infant.

Precautions To Consider When Taking Cymbalta

You should discuss your overall health with your prescribing doctor when considering Cymbalta, as they'll need to measure the risks and benefits associated with your taking this particular drug.
Like any drug, Cymbalta may not be right for everyone, so your doctor along with you will have to work together to decide if this is right for you.
If you have taken an MAOI type drug such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in the few weeks you should wait awhile until you begin taking Cymbalta. The majority of people are not on an MAOI type drug, so it's likely that is precaution does not apply to you, but if it does you and your doctor should take this warning seriously.
Very serious complications often arise when MAOI and SNRI types of drugs are mixed, and the complications can be fatal.
You should mention any drugs that you have been on for the last three to six months before starting Cymbalta. Many people don't realize that many drugs remain in the system for days or even weeks after they are discontinued, so it's very important to talk to your doctor to be sure that you will not suffer from any ill-advised drug combinations.
You should tell your doctor if you are suffering from any medical conditions, even if they do not seem to relate to your depression or neuropathy in any way.
You should specially mention kidney or liver disease, diabetes, narrow angle glaucoma, high blood pressure, seizure, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, or if you drink alcohol regularly. These conditions do not necessarily mean that you cannot take Cymbalta; it may just mean that your doctor will have to prescribe more carefully and monitor your health closely.
It may take between 1 to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

What should I avoid while taking Cymbalta?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Cymbalta. Alcohol can increase the risk of damage to your liver. Avoid employing other medicines which return to you somnolent (like cold medicine, the drug of pain, the relaxers of muscle, medicine for seizures, any other drug for the depression or concern). They can add to the somnolence caused by Cymbalta. Cymbalta can cause the side effects which can deteriorate your thought or reactions. Made attention if you lead or do all that requires you to be waked up and alert.

Warnings:

You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways when you take duloxetine or other antidepressants even if you are an adult over age 24.These changes may occur even if you do not have a mental illness and you are taking duloxetine to treat a different type of condition. You may become suicidal, especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or decreased.

No matter your age, before you take an antidepressant, you, your parent, or your caregiver should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your condition with an antidepressant or with other treatments. You should also talk about the risks and benefits of not treating your condition. You should know that having depression or another mental illness greatly increases the risk that you will become suicidal.

Your healthcare provider will want to see you often while you are taking duloxetine, especially at the beginning of your treatment. Be sure to keep all appointments for office visits with your doctor.

What to do if you take Overdose of Cymbalta antidepressant?

Seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center.

What to do if you take Missed Dose of Cymbalta?

Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

How to Store Cymbalta Medication:

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

How Cymbalta drug is supplied:

Cymbalta® (duloxetine hydrochloride) Delayed-release Capsules are available in 20, 30, and 60 mg strengths.

Study Findings

Patients treated with 60 mg of Cymbalta, once or twice daily, had functional improvements on the Sheehan Disability Scale which measures disability at work, in family life and in social life, that were significantly greater than those of patients taking a sugar pill.
Treatment-emergent adverse events were more common in patients treated with Cymbalta 60 mg once or twice daily, than in those treated with a sugar pill (79.2 percent). Events were typically mild to moderate in severity.

Cymbalta medicine:

Cymbalta sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.
Cymbalta and weight gain
Cymbalta loss weight
Cymbalta and ocd
Cymbalta for depression
Cymbalta duloxetine
Cymbalta and fibromyalgia

I use to be on Zoloft,Lexapro,Effexor and now I am on Cymbalta. They all worked at first but after so long they didn't help me.I do like the Cymbalta it helps with my depression and anxiety. I use to cry everyday and feel sad all the time. I do feel somewhat better and have alot more energy than I use to. CYMBALATA is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHRISTINA

I have been on Cymbalta for about 6 months- I hate how I feel- flat, numb, almost more depressed. The dose was slowly increased from 20 to 40 = I have many med sensitivities, also have tried almost every SSRI Celexa and Prozac worked the best for depression but numerous SE's. I hate how I feel on Cymbalta! I have recently started to taper off. - Julie

I have had anxiety as long as I can remember.i have tried so many med combinations I can't remember. I am nowback on Tofranil which is an old drug, but it had worked for me in the 80's, so we finally went back to it .I take 150mg at night and 20mg lexapre in AM.I take small amounts of zanax PRN. i have no idea when I will feel anx.,it comes with no warning and leaves the same way. I have been so bad I go to bed and curl up in a ball. I go for counseling almost every wk. which helps. Can anyone else relate to this ??? K.L. Dorn

I have been on celexa for 3 months now but now i am suffering from anxiety and was severely depressed been on cymbalta for a week and already feel upbeat and have more energy love it! - Paula

I have been taking my 60mg dose every other day on my own to wean off….I have a doc appointment next week. I decided to go with an extra day off last night and today the withdrawals are hitting me hard. Wierd dreams, panic attack feeling, skin crawling, itching, loss of coordination, even some intestinal symptoms. Does it get worse than this and how long does the withdrawal last? Does anyone know? I know I see my doc next week, but I dont want to take the drug tonight if this is the worst ofit. - Rosez

I am suffering from depression since 1 year. Now I have started doing some exercise and start taking cymbalta. I take 60mg cymbalta and I feel upbeat excited about my life and ready to face all of it.. (I had to work up to the dossages). - Sam

i took cymbalta for 3 days after telling doctor. i had a anxiety problem from zyban and then after 3 days off the cymbalta had drank that nite and had a domestic violence charge,hadn't been told nothing about it nor had any directions as it was a doctors free sample, just be carful!!! - Dilli

I too have tried nearly every med since the last 5 years and no one seems to work. I now take 60mg Cymbalta and 200mg Provigil and this combo works great for me. - Joy

I experienced a anxiety attack and contribute it to the use of Cymbalta. Today i have decided to go to doctors and discuss more about cymbalta. I experienced an increase in depression, anxiety, restlessness, generalized itching, esp. when dose was increased. I would recommend you do your reseach prior to taking Cymbalta. - sabina

i have been on lexapro for sometime now but i have had alot of stress now and was severely depressed been on cybalta for a week and already feel upbeat and have more energy love it! - Jick-

I was just sart Cymbalta. This is scary stuff. I was on other medicines before, and just quit cold turkey after I ran out of a scrip and was too lazy to worry about refills. Now I'm wondering if this is much harder stuff. -anony

I have had agaoraphobia and anxiety attacks since I was 19, but they went, not soley, but was never depressed, until they took me off Seroxat Cold turkey, that was 5 years ago, and have never been right since. I cry everyday, never miss.I am addicted to Valium, and for the last 2 years have been on Lexapro, but they do not help the depression at all, is Cymbalta for anxiety attacks as well as depression, please could someone reply. Thankyou - Linden

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