Important information about Cymbalta

Do not use Cymbalta if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. After you stop taking Cymbalta, you must wait at least 5 days before you start taking an MAOI.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Cymbalta. It may increase your risk of liver damage.

Before taking Cymbalta

Do not use Cymbalta if you are allergic to duloxetine, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled glaucoma.

Do not use Cymbalta if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. After you stop taking Cymbalta, you must wait at least 5 days before you start taking an MAOI.

To make sure Cymbalta is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• high blood pressure;
• glaucoma;
• bipolar disorder (manic depression);
• a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts; or
• if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Cymbalta. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Cymbalta will harm an unborn baby. However, Cymbalta may cause problems in a newborn if you take the medicine during the third trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

See also: Cymbalta pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Cymbalta on the baby.

Duloxetine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking this medication.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.

Do not give Cymbalta to a child without medical advice.

How should I take Cymbalta?

Take Cymbalta exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Try to take Cymbalta at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow it whole.

It may take 4 weeks or longer before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed. Do not stop using Cymbalta without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking Cymbalta?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage.

Cymbalta may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Cymbalta side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Cymbalta: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• feeling like you might pass out;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination;
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, tremors;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• painful or difficult urination;
• headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, feeling unsteady, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops; or
• severe skin reaction — fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Other common Cymbalta side effects may include:

• dry mouth;
• drowsiness;
• tired feeling;
• mild nausea or loss of appetite; or
• constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Cymbalta side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Cymbalta?

Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, piroxicam, nabumetone, etodolac, and others. Taking any of these drugs with Cymbalta may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Taking Cymbalta with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can increase these effects. Ask your doctor before taking duloxetine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with Cymbalta. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with duloxetine, especially:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin;
• buspirone;
• cimetidine;
• a diuretic or “water pill”;
• fentanyl;
• lithium;
• St. John’s wort;
• tramadol;
• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
• an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin;
• almotriptan, frovatriptan, sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan; or
• any other antidepressant such as desipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with Cymbalta. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.