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Cymbalta Antidepressant Medication - Learn about Cymbalta Side Effects and Precautions

Cymbalta Information

1. Cymbalta is an antidepressant medication. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

2. Cymbalta is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and for the management of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

3. Cymbalta may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Cymbalta

Here are the list of some common side effects of Cymbalta :

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Cymbalta and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
• low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
• high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
• chills or fever;
• unusual bleeding or bruising;
• a rash or hives.

What other drugs will affect Cymbalta

Before taking Cymbalta, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• · an antiarrhythmic such as flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol), and others;
• · a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
• · venlafaxine (Effexor);
• · a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others;
• · a quinolone antibiotic such as trovafloxacin (Trovan), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;
• · quinidine; or
• · a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and others.

What should I avoid while taking Cymbalta?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Cymbalta may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment with Cymbalta. Together, alcohol and Cymbalta can be damaging to the liver.

Precaution and Warning while taking Cymbalta

The precaution and warnings of Cymbalta drug is as follows:

• Blood pressure should be measured prior to initiating treatment and periodically measured throughout treatment.

• When treating a pregnant woman with Cymbalta during the third trimester, the physician should carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of treatment.

• Cymbalta (duloxetine) and/or its metabolites are excreted into the milk of lactating rats. It is unknown whether or not duloxetine and/or its metabolites are excreted into human milk, but nursing while on duloxetine is not recommended.

• Cymbalta (duloxetine) has not been shown to add to the effects of alcohol. However, use of alcohol is not recommended in patients who are taking duloxetine.

• For diabetic patients - Cymbalta (duloxetine) medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

How to store Cymbalta

• Store at controlled room temperature.
• Protect from freezing.
• Protect cymbalta from sunlight.