Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life and lasts for 6 months or longer). Duloxetine is also used to treat pain and tingling caused by diabetic neuropathy (damage to nerves that can develop in people who have diabetes) and fibromyalgia (a long-lasting condition that may cause pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Duloxetine is also used to treat ongoing bone or muscle pain such as lower back pain or osteoarthritis (joint pain or stiffness that may worsen over time). Duloxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance and stop the movement of pain signals in the brain.

Duloxetine comes as a delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to prevent break-down of the medication by stomach acids) capsule to take by mouth. When duloxetine is used to treat depression, it is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. When duloxetine is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, the pain of diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, or ongoing bone or muscle pain, it is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take duloxetine at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take duloxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the delayed-release capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Before taking ths medicine, you should know that:

• Some medicines can interact with duloxetine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting
• Tell your doctor if you’ve ever had liver or kidney disease, seizures or epliepsy, bleeding or blood clotting disorder, bipolar disorder, drug addcition or suicial thoughts
• Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Cymbalta. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
• If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Cymbalta on the baby. Duloxetine can pass into breast milk, but effects on the nursing baby are not known. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Side Effects Common Cymbalta side effects may include:

• dry mouth
• drowsiness, dizziness tired feeling
• nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss
• increased sweating

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding
• painful or difficult urination
• a seizure
• a manic episode - racing thoughts, increased energy, reckless behavior, feeling extremely happy or irritable, talking more than usual, severe problems with sleep
• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling

Q: What is Cymbalta for?

A: Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It increases serotonin and norepinephrine activity in the brain, which regulate mood.It is used to treat depression, anxiety, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain

Q: What is the Generic for Cymbalta?

A: The generic alternative for Cymbalta is Duloxetine.

Q: What should I do if I forget a dose?

A: Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.