Cymbalta Side Effects
Cymbalta is an antidepressant used to
treat a number of neurological problems. Its active ingredient is duloxetine
hydrochloride, which acts on nerve cells found in the brain. It is commonly
used for major depressive disorders (MDD), stress urinary incontinence (SUI),
and peripheral neuropathic pain associated with diabetes.
However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved
duloxetine for treating SUI and fibromyalgia. The brand Cymbalta is also
known to cause several side effects. Cymbalta side effects range from
headache and dizziness to mental disorders like hypomania and
depersonalization. To prevent serious Cymbalta side effects, the drug must
only be taken upon prescription and under close supervision by a doctor.
Here are tips on using Cymbalta safely and avoiding Cymbalta side effects.
1. Proper dosage
Each Cymbalta capsule usually contains 20, 30, or 60 mg of duloxetine. When
treating MDD, the recommended dose is usually 40 to 60 mg per day,
administered once or twice. For diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, 60 mg
a day is recommended, preferably in a single dose. A 2004 study shows that
taking 80 mg a day may produce slightly better results, and 120 mg doses may
have been used clinically as well.
2. Use on children
Cymbalta is not approved for patients below 18 years old. Increased suicidal
thoughts or behavior are one of the common Cymbalta side effects on
children, especially those with existing depression or psychiatric
disorders.
3. Interaction with other drugs
Some medications can trigger or worsen Cymbalta side effects, so inform your
doctor of any drugs you are currently taking or have recently taken. Drugs
that cannot be used with Cymbalta include Melaril® (thioridazine) and
monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), another antidepressant.
4. Who should not take Cymbalta
Cymbalta may have crucial side effects on patients with preexisting
conditions. These include uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, severe renal
and liver disease, and hypersensitivity to duloxetine or any inactive
ingredient in the drug. Pregnant women should take Cymbalta only when
prescribed, and must be closely monitored by the doctor during medication.
IMPORTANT: Some dietary supplements may contain additives that not only
inhibit the effects, but may be harmful to your health. Such additives
include silica, starch, sugar, and gluten. Make sure your health supplements
do not contain any artificial colors and flavorings. To stay safe, look for
those that are GMP-compliant. This ensures that the product has passed
stringent quality tests and do not contain harmful chemicals. |
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