Learn how Cymbalta can help treat or manage your symptoms. More

I have been prescribed Cymbalta for:

Commonly Asked Questions

  1. How does Cymbalta work?
  2. When will Cymbalta begin to work?
  3. Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
  4. What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
  5. How should I take Cymbalta?
  6. What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
  7. What happens when I stop taking Cymbalta?
  8. Can children take Cymbalta?

1. How does Cymbalta work?
Although the exact way that Cymbalta works in people is unknown, it is believed to be related to an increase in the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are two naturally occurring substances in the brain and spinal cord.

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2. When will Cymbalta begin to work?
In depression, patients may notice improvements in 1 to 4 weeks. Full antidepressant response may take 4 to 6 weeks. Patients may see improvement as early as 2 weeks in their anxious symptoms of GAD. In DNP and fibromyalgia trials, some patients experienced less pain as early as 1 week. Results may vary from person to person.

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3. Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:

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4. What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

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

Learn more about Cymbalta by reading the full Prescribing Information and Boxed Warning.

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5. How should I take Cymbalta?
Take Cymbalta exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.

Cymbalta should be taken by mouth. Do not open, break, or chew the capsule; it must be swallowed whole.

Cymbalta can be taken with or without food.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your regularly scheduled dose. Do not take more than the daily amount of Cymbalta that has been prescribed for you.

Remember to refill your prescription before you run out of Cymbalta. Talk with your healthcare provider before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose.

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6. What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
In clinical studies, the most common side effect of Cymbalta in all clinical studies combined was nausea. Most people were not bothered enough by nausea to stop taking Cymbalta.

Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and increased sweating. In DPNP trials, most common side effects also include dizziness and weakness.

This is not a complete list of side effects. You can also read the full Prescribing Information and Boxed Warning for more details on side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or develop any side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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7. What happens when I stop taking Cymbalta?
Cymbalta should not be stopped without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Cymbalta may result in side effects that may include dizziness, nausea, headache, or other potential side effects. Your healthcare provider may wish to decrease the dose slowly to help avoid these kinds of side effects.

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8. Can children take Cymbalta?
Cymbalta is not approved for use in children under 18.

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Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. What should I talk about with my healthcare provider? Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening 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. You should also know that: Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders. Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65. All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior. Cymbalta is not approved for use in patients under age 18. 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 (an eye disease) You are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine) What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider? Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider: about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or 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, tell 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. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta 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. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects. Please read additional Safety Information and Boxed Warning for a complete list.
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