Side Effects

The list of side effects of Cymbalta is quite lengthy, which means that the real Cymbalta cost may be greater than just the price tag. A partial list of possible side effects includes:

• Symptoms of liver problems, which can prove fatal especially when left unchecked. These symptoms include yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, pain in the upper-right part of the belly, itching, or inexplicable flu-like symptoms.
• Signs of serotonin syndrome, a form of serotonin poisoning which is also another potentially life-threatening condition. These signs include a rapid heart rate, high fever, confusion, and twitching or stiff muscles.
• Gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, dyspepsia, loose stools, gastritis, and viral gastroenteritis.
• Nervous system side effects include somnolence, dizziness, and headaches.
• General side effects include insomnia, fatigue, decreased appetite, and even anorexia.
• Respiratory side effects include nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngolaryngeal pain, and cough.
• Dermatologic side effects include rashes and night sweats. These side effects also include eczema, alopecia, and acne.
• Genitourinary side effects include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and gynecological bleeding.

The list of possible side effects goes on and on (including musculoskeletal, renal, ocular, psychiatric, hepatic, cardiovascular, hematologic, oncologic, metabolic, immunologic, hypersensitivity, and endocrine side effects). The list is so extensive that you should be monitored closely, and any condition you may feel should be reported to your doctor. The real Cymbalta cost may include your own life if you don’t.

However, you should also remember that you must continue taking the medications even when you feel some side effects. You should just tell your doctor about the side effects, and only the doctor can decide whether or not you should be taken off the drug because of the side effects and the dangers they pose.

Interactions

It’s not practical to list all the interactions of Cymbalta with other medicines, as more than a thousand drugs have been reported to interact with Cymbalta. The majority of these result in moderate drug interactions, but a significant percentage (about 20%) can result in a major drug interaction.

Due to this great number of potential interactions, it is crucial that you discuss any medication you are taking before you take Cymbalta. Once your Cymbalta treatment has begun, you must not take any medicine—whether they’re prescription drugs, over-the counter medications, or supplements of any kind without first getting the explicit approval of your doctor.

Since Cymbalta can cause dizziness and drowsiness, any activity that requires mental alertness such as operating heavy machinery or driving a car should be avoided. Some people also experience more frequent falls, especially those in the senior citizen age group.

How Does Cymbalta Work?

Like other serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, Cymbalta affects chemicals in the brain that have become unbalanced. Cymbalta isn’t appropriate for those who are on (or have just recently taken) a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor because it can result in a very dangerous drug interaction. You should not take Cymbalta if you’ve taken an MAO inhibitor over the last two weeks. And you can only take an MAO inhibitor only after 5 days have passed since you last took Cymbalta.

You should also not take Cymbalta if your eyes hurt due to increased eye pressure, which is a condition known as narrow-angle glaucoma. Before you take Cymbalta, you should also hold a lengthy discussion with your doctor about your medical history. You doctor should be informed if you have any of the following:

• Glaucoma or diabetes.
• High blood pressure or problems with your heart, kidney or liver.
• If you’re bipolar, manic, or prone to seizures and convulsions.
• Low sodium levels in your blood, or if you have bleeding problems.
• Your use of alcohol is heavy—you should not take Cymbalta if you drink lots of alcohol.
• If you are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Once you are totally cleared to take Cymbalta, take the medicine according to the instructions given to you by your doctor. You must not deviate from those instructions.

Generic Alternatives

Duloxetine is the generic name of Cymbalta. Other duloxetine brands include Dulane, Duzela, Xeristar, Ariclaim, and Yentreve.