What is Cymbalta?

You may have seen commercials lately for a medication called Cymbalta.  It is being advertised as a means to reduce chronic pain associated with several health conditions.  What is this drug, and how does it work?

Duloxetine, the generic name for Cymbalta, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2004.  It is used for treatment not only for major depression and anxiety, but for chronic pain as well. This means that this medication treats anything from fibromyalgia, to the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Prescribed as a delayed release capsule, a dose is taken once or twice per day, with or without food.

MedicineNet.com explains that “Duloxetine works by preventing the reuptake of serotonin and epinephrine by nerves after they have been released. Since uptake is an important mechanism for removing released neurotransmitters and terminating their actions on adjacent nerves, the reduced uptake caused by duloxetine increases the effect of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The mechanism responsible for its effectiveness treating pain is not known but also is thought to involve its effects on serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.”

As with any drug, the side effects of Cymbalta range from fairly mild to dangerous.  Some common side effects include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and sleep pattern disruptions.  Some people report constipation, while others may have trouble reaching orgasm. Another segment of users reports losing weight after taking the medication.

Information from the company that makes Cymbalta (Lilly USA) suggests this drug may be a danger to persons older than 65 years.  This is because this age group reported an increase of falls that resulted in injury after taking these pills; however, the most dangerous side effect of an anti-depressant involves increased thoughts of suicide, frequently in young users.

As outlined in the WebMD website, “These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication (especially for people younger than 25), even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition.”

Although Lilly USA states that the decision to take Cymbalta should be made in cooperation with a physician, they do recommend that the following people should not take it 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)

They also stress that once someone starts taking Cymbalta, they should not stop abruptly. This could cause serious symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and headache.  If a patient wishes to stop the medication, they need to be weaned off it slowly.

As you can see, Cymbalta may help many people cope with pain or depression, yet the decision to take the medication needs to be weighed carefully, with input from a doctor.

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