The Journey to Improvement

If you are concerned about some of your symptoms, here are a few important first steps on the journey to improvement:

1. Learn more about depression
Find out how depression affects you and read about the various treatments available before speaking with a healthcare professional. You can also make a list of questions to ask during your visit. View some questions to ask your doctor.

Review the Depression Information Guide to get additional information about the condition and some answers to questions you may have about Cymbalta.

Cymbalta and depression

Treating depression with Cymbalta

2. Talk to your friends and family
Your loved ones can be a source of comfort and emotional support. They may even help you with practical things like finding a doctor or therapist. You don't have to face depression alone. After talking to friends and family about it, you might actually feel relieved.

3. Make an appointment with a doctor
Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional about your symptoms. He or she can tell you whether you have depression and work with you to plan a course of action that you feel good about. Your doctor may also suggest that you see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or a therapist. Learn more about different ways of treating depression.

A Note About Suicidal Thoughts

Thoughts about death or suicide are common in depression, and it's important to take such thoughts seriously. If you feel like giving up or as if you might hurt yourself, get help immediately:

Call your doctor
Go to the emergency room
Call 911
Call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline,
1-800-SUICIDE [1-800-784-2433]

If You Are Concerned About Some of Your Symptoms, Here Are Some Steps You Can Take to Help You Determine What You Need to Do Next

Find out how depression affects you, and read about the various treatments available
Make an appointment to talk to your doctor. Review the Depression Impact Tool to build a list of your symptoms, and rate how much those symptoms affect your life. Also, view some questions to ask your doctor
Your loved ones can be a source of comfort and emotional support. Learn more about talking to your friends and family and about how you are feeling

Important Safety Information About Cymbalta

Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Be especially observant within the first few months of treatment or after a change in dose. Approved only for adults 18 and over.

What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?

Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

Who should NOT take Cymbalta?

You should not take Cymbalta if:

You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
You are taking Mellaril^® (thioridazine)

What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?

Before starting Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:

about all of your medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, glaucoma, diabetes, seizures, or if you have bipolar disorder. Cymbalta may worsen a type of glaucoma or the control of blood sugar in some patients with diabetes
about your alcohol use
if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life-threatening condition
if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant

While taking Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:

if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose
about your blood pressure. Cymbalta can increase your blood pressure. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure prior to and while taking Cymbalta
if you experience headache, weakness, confusion, problems concentrating, memory problems, or feel unsteady while taking Cymbalta which may be signs of low sodium levels
if you develop problems with urine flow

If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.

What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?

The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.

Other safety information about Cymbalta:

Cymbalta may cause sleepiness and dizziness. Until you know how Cymbalta affects you, you should not drive a car or operate hazardous machinery.

Please read additional Safety Information and Boxed Warning for a complete list.