When I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, my doctor prescribed Cymbalta (Duloxetine). Cymbalta is an anti-depressant drug that is primarily used to treat three conditions: 1) major depressive disorder, 2) general anxiety disorder, and 3) nerve pain caused by diabetic neuropathy.
According to WebMDHealth.com, Cymbalta is a “serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters).” In other words, Cymbalta is designed to help restore the natural biological balance in your brain, which should make you feel better.
Like most medications, Cymbalta can have side effects that range in severity from mildly annoying to very dangerous and even fatal. I have personally experienced a few of the more mild Cymbalta side effects. These side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, dry mouth, constipation, and decreased appetite. Since I reached my maintenance dose, the dizziness and lightheadedness have pretty much gone away. I did avoid driving for a few days because of the lightheadedness when I first started on the medication. The dry mouth is still a bit of a problem, as is the constipation. I like to chew ice, which helps the dry mouth, and I take a magnesium supplement daily to help with the constipation. The decreased appetite has eased as well, but I’m a big gal, and I need all the help I can get to stay on my diet! On the other hand, if I was needing to gain weight instead of lose it, this Cymbalta side effect would be a major problem instead of a minor annoyance.
Other mild Cymbalta side effects can include tiredness, drowsiness, increased sweating, and blurred vision.
Fortunately, I have only experienced one of the more dangerous Cymbalta side effects: increased bruising when taking non-steroidal pain medicines (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen (Advil). I am a klutz, however, so more often than not friends and family are taken aback by the size of the latest four-square-inch bruise I got just by bumping into the corner of a table or countertop. For me, this is not dangerous, because I don’t have a history of blood clots or hemorrhage. For some, however, this Cymbalta side effect could be a big problem.
Other dangerous Cymbalta side effects can include fainting, severe nausea and vomiting, severe mood swings, agitation, mania, suicidal thoughts or feelings, decreased sexual desire, decreased sexual ability (to perform or enjoy), loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty urinating, jaundice, muscle weakness or cramping, loss of coordination, seizures, bleeding into the digestive tract, and hemorrhage into body tissues when bruised.
Cymbalta can also have additional side effects due to drug interactions. People taking blood thinners can hemorrhage easier, for example. When taking allergy and cold medications, increased drowsiness and impaired reaction time can occur. Also, if you take Triptans such as Imitrex or Axert for migraine headaches, care should be taken until you know how you react to the medication. This is because the combination of Triptans and Cymbalta can have side effects ranging from increased dizziness, to hallucinations, to seizures and even coma.
If you experience any of the above dangerous Cymbalta side effects, or if you experience a side effect that is more than just mildly annoying or seems strange, you should contact your doctor immediately. It might not be a problem, but then again you don’t want to gamble with your life, either.
In my experience, Cymbalta has been a big help in my fight against depression. The Cymbalta side effects I have experienced have not been severe, and I plan to use Cymbalta until I no longer need it.
