Find Customized Resources to Help You Talk With Your Doctor

For those living with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), even the simplest things can seem difficult. Cymbalta may help.

Find answers to the questions you may have about your GAD. To get started, tell us a little more about your symptoms.

Which of the following best describes you?
Here are some common treatment options and ways to cope with GAD
that you can discuss with your healthcare provider.

Some ways that individuals treat and cope with their GAD are listed below. Select all the options that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider.

How does your GAD make you feel?

The items below are some of the symptoms of GAD. Select all the symptoms you currently feel. Your selections will help identify resources to help you talk to your doctor.

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Treatment Options

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects as many as 3% of American adults. About two thirds of patients with GAD are women, and one third are men. Treatment includes medication, specific types of psychotherapy, or both. The goal is to treat the anxiety symptoms you are experiencing and to help improve your functioning in life.

While medication will not cure GAD, it may help treat the symptoms. Before taking medication, ask your doctor:

  • What are the benefits of taking this medication?
  • When will the medication start working? How will I know if it's working?
  • What will it feel like to be on this medication?
  • Is this medication safe?
  • What are the side effects? Will they go away over time? What should I do if I experience them?
  • How long will I need to take this medication? Will I be able to stop taking it eventually?
  • Should I avoid certain things (eg, other medications, alcohol) or particular foods while I'm taking this drug?
  • What if it doesn't work? Is there something else I can do?
  • Will this medication take care of my anxious symptoms?
  • If my symptoms go away with this medicine, will my GAD return?

It's also a good idea to touch base with your doctor about his or her overall approach to treatment.

Agree on how he or she will be monitoring your progress. Find out if it's best to follow up in person or on the phone and how often you should do so.

Psychotherapy is essentially talk therapy—with a trained mental health professional, you discuss GAD and the best way to treat the symptoms you are experiencing.

Learn about the impact of generalized anxiety disorder symptoms.

Indication

Cymbalta is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The efficacy of Cymbalta was established in four short-term and one maintenance trial in adults.

Cymbalta is indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The efficacy of Cymbalta was established in three short-term and one maintenance trial in adults.

Cymbalta is indicated for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

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.

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