If you have pain, anxiety, or depression, your medical professional may recommend that you take a prescription drug called Cymbalta.

Cymbalta is used to treat the following:

For more information on how Cymbalta treats these conditions, you can see the “Is Cymbalta used for pain?” and “What are Cymbalta’s other uses?” sections below.

Cymbalta details

Cymbalta contains the active drug duloxetine. The active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.

Cymbalta’s classification is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Drugs that are classified (grouped) together work in a similar way.

Cymbalta comes as delayed-release capsules that you swallow. (Delayed-release drugs release slowly into your body over time.) Cymbalta is also available as a generic medication called duloxetine.

To learn more about Cymbalta, including its uses, side effects, and more, we encourage you to keep reading.

Most medications, including Cymbalta, may cause side effects that can be serious or mild. To give you an idea of what might occur with Cymbalta, we’ve listed some of the medication’s more common side effects below. It’s important to note that we haven’t included all the potential side effects.

For more complete information on possible side effects of Cymbalta, you can talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. They may also be able to recommend tips on how to help prevent and ease side effects.

Note: Certain factors may affect a medication’s side effects. These factors can include other health conditions you may have, other drugs you may be taking, and your age.

Mild side effects

Some of the mild side effects that Cymbalta may cause are listed below. For information on other mild side effects of the drug, we suggest that you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. It may also be helpful to refer to the medication guide for Cymbalta.

Mild side effects of Cymbalta that have been reported in studies include the following:

Mild side effects of many drugs tend to lessen in a couple of days or a few weeks. But if you find that the side effects bother you, it’s recommended that you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.

* For details on this side effect, you can see “Side effects: A closer look” below.

Serious side effects

Cymbalta may cause serious side effects, but this isn’t common. If you do develop serious side effects while taking Cymbalta, it’s important to call your medical professional immediately. If you feel as if you’re having a medical emergency, it’s vital to call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Serious side effects of Cymbalta that have been reported in studies include the following:

* For details on this side effect, you can see “Side effects: A closer look” below.

Side effects specific to men, women, and older adults

In clinical studies of Cymbalta, males* were more likely to experience sexual problems as a side effect of the drug than females.* (For more information, you can see “Sexual problems” in “Side effects: A closer look” below.)

Older adults may have an increased risk for hyponatremia from taking drugs called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Cymbalta is a type of SNRI.

Older adults also have a higher risk for falls than usual when taking Cymbalta.

If you’re an older adult taking Cymbalta, we suggest you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. They can give you information on how to manage your sodium level and help prevent falls.

* Throughout this article, we refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth by using the terms “male” and “female.” To learn about the difference between sex and gender, you can refer to this article.

How long side effects last

Mild side effects of Cymbalta tend to lessen in a couple of days or a few weeks.

Some rare but serious side effects of Cymbalta may not go away. Liver damage and eye problems, such as glaucoma, may be permanent. But these side effects don’t occur often.

The risk of some side effects is higher when you first start taking Cymbalta or whenever your dose is changed:

  • Your risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors* may be highest in your first few months taking Cymbalta. But this side effect can occur at any time.
  • Your risk for orthostatic hypotension may be highest during your first week of Cymbalta treatment.

If you have additional questions about how long Cymbalta side effects last, we recommend that you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.

* For details on this side effect, you can see “Side effects: A closer look” below.

Side effects: A closer look

This section provides a close-up look at key side effects of Cymbalta.

Sexual problems

Sexual problems are a possible side effect of taking Cymbalta. They were commonly reported by people taking the drug in clinical studies.

In fact, sexual problems are a known side effect of many antidepressants. (Cymbalta is a type of antidepressant.)

In addition, some conditions that Cymbalta is used to treat, such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, can also cause problems with your sex drive or performance.

In clinical studies of Cymbalta, males* were more likely to experience sexual problems as a side effect of the drug than females.* Specific sexual problems reported by males taking Cymbalta included erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation.

Other sexual problems reported by people taking Cymbalta included having abnormal orgasms and being unable to have an orgasm.

* Throughout this article, we refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth by using the terms “male” and “female.” To learn about the difference between sex and gender, you can refer to this article.

Tips for managing

If you think you’re having sexual problems as a side effect while taking Cymbalta, let your medical professional know.

Sometimes these problems go away on their own. But your medical professional may be able to offer suggestions for treating this side effect. This could include changing your Cymbalta dose. It may involve taking an additional medication. Or they may suggest switching to a different drug.

Sleep problems

Sleep problems may occur with Cymbalta use. It’s possible that the drug may make you more sleepy than usual or cause insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep). These were common side effects reported by people taking the drug in clinical trials.

Antidepressants such as Cymbalta can affect people differently. Cymbalta works by affecting certain chemicals in your brain. This can make some people feel sleepy. But other people may take Cymbalta and have problems sleeping.

Tips for managing

Sometimes sleep problems due to Cymbalta use go away on their own after a few weeks.

Managing the sleep problems depends on which kind you have.

If you find you have trouble sleeping after using Cymbalta, you can try taking your dose when you wake up. Based on how the drug works, some people find Cymbalta to be “activating” and makes them feel energized. If this is how Cymbalta works for you, taking your dose in the morning may help ease insomnia.

On the other hand, if you find that taking Cymbalta makes you sleepy, you can try taking your dose at night. But keep in mind you may start having trouble sleeping if you take Cymbalta at night. This side effect may occur at any time while you’re using the medication.

If you have sleep problems while taking Cymbalta, we suggest that you talk with your medical professional. They can offer ways to treat this side effect. They may also change your Cymbalta dose or having you try a different medication instead.

Allergic reaction

Many drugs, including Cymbalta, can cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms that can occur with a mild allergic reaction may include:

  • itchiness
  • skin rash
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction may also occur, but this is rare. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which may cause trouble breathing. You may also experience swelling under your skin, often in your lips, eyelids, hands, or feet.

In rare cases, a serious allergic reaction to Cymbalta can lead to a severe skin reaction, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Tips for managing

If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction to Cymbalta, it’s important to call your medical professional immediately. If you feel as if you’re having a medical emergency, it’s vital to call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Boxed warning

Cymbalta has a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The boxed warning appears on the drug’s label and alerts you to possible serious risks.

The use of antidepressants, including Cymbalta, may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people ages 24 and younger. This includes children, teens, and young adults.

This risk is thought to be highest during your first few months taking Cymbalta and whenever your dose is changed. It’s important to note that depression and other mental health conditions may also cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

These same studies have shown that medications such as Cymbalta decrease the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people ages 65 and older.

Tips for managing

While taking Cymbalta, it’s important to watch for any changes to your behaviors, feelings, moods, or thoughts. Sometimes the changes may be sudden. We recommend that you ask your family members and friends to help look for any changes in your mood or behavior, if possible.

While taking Cymbalta, be sure to call your medical professional right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • new or worsening anxiety or depression
  • aggressive or violent behavior
  • feeling very agitated, irritated, or restless
  • thoughts about dying or suicide
  • panic attacks
  • other unusual behavior or mood changes
Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you’re not alone. Help is available right now:

Not in the U.S.? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.

Below are details about forms, strengths, and recommended dosages of Cymbalta. If you’re prescribed Cymbalta, your medical professional will explain what your dosage is and how to take it. They’ll aim to give you the lowest dose that treats your condition effectively.

Form and strengths

Cymbalta comes as capsules that you swallow. They’re available in three strengths: 20 milligrams (mg), 30 mg, and 60 mg.

Recommended dosages

Below are commonly used dosages of Cymbalta. It’s vital to always take the dosage your medical professional prescribes.

Dosage for long-term muscle and bone pain. Cymbalta is used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults. “Chronic” means long term. And “musculoskeletal” refers to muscle and bone pain.

For this use, the recommended starting dosage is 30 mg once per day. You’ll likely take this dose for at least 1 week.

After 1 week, your medical professional may increase your dose to the maximum dosage of 60 mg once per day.

Dosage for generalized anxiety disorder. For treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults, the recommended starting dosage is 60 mg once per day. But a 30-mg dose may be used instead.

Your medical professional may increase your dose 30 mg at a time. This means that you may eventually be given a 90-mg dose.

In children ages 7 and older, the recommended starting dosage is 30 mg once daily. The dosage should be given for at least 2 weeks. Then it may be increased to 60 mg once daily.

The recommended starting dosage for older adults is also 30 mg once per day. This dosage should be given for at least 2 weeks. Then it may be increased to 60 mg once per day.

The maximum dosage is 120 mg once per day for all ages.

Dosage for fibromyalgia. For treating fibromyalgia, the recommended starting dosage is 30 mg once daily. You’ll likely take this dosage for at least 1 week. Then it will typically be increased to 60 mg daily. The maximum dosage is 60 mg once daily.

This dosage is the same for both adults and children ages 13 and older.

Dosage for nerve pain due to diabetes. Cymbalta is used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain due to diabetes) in adults.

For this use, the recommended starting dosage is 60 mg once per day. This is also the maximum recommended dosage.

Dosage for depression. Cymbalta is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. MDD is commonly called depression.

For this use, the recommended starting dose is 40 mg to 60 mg.

The 40-mg dose is taken as 20 mg twice daily. The 60-mg dose is taken as 30 mg twice daily or 60 mg once daily.

Some people may also be prescribed a starting dosage of 30 mg once daily. This dosage is taken for 1 week, before increasing the dosage to 60 mg once daily.

The maximum dosage for treating depression is 120 mg once daily.

Below are some other medications that may be prescribed to treat conditions Cymbalta is used for.

This list doesn’t include all alternatives. Also, some of the medications may be prescribed off-label for treating these conditions. “Off label” use is when a medication is prescribed for a condition that it isn’t approved to treat.

You can find more alternatives to Cymbalta in this article. Your medical professional and pharmacist may also be able to suggest alternatives.

Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions about Cymbalta.

Is weight gain or weight loss a side effect of Cymbalta?

Weight gain and weight loss weren’t reported as side effects by adults taking Cymbalta in clinical trials. But weight loss was reported in children who were given Cymbalta for fibromyalgia.

Both adults and children reported decreased appetite while taking Cymbalta in the clinical trials. Decreased appetite can lead to weight loss.

While your child’s condition is treated with Cymbalta, their medical professional will monitor their weight. This helps ensure that it stays in a moderate range for their age.

If you have concerns about your weight while taking Cymbalta, we suggest that you talk with your medical professional. They may be able to recommend ways to manage your weight.

Is Cymbalta a kind of drug called an SSRI?

No, Cymbalta isn’t a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). But it’s very similar.

Cymbalta is a kind of drug known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

SSRIs and SNRIs work in similar but slightly different ways. These medications are commonly prescribed to treat the same conditions, including depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia.

If you have more questions about SSRIs and SNRIs, your medical professional or pharmacist should be able to help you.

Does Cymbalta’s half-life affect how long the drug stays in your system?

Yes. Cymbalta’s half-life affects how long the drug stays in your system. A drug’s half-life is how long it takes your body to get rid of half of a dose.

The half-life of Cymbalta is about 12 hours. Your age and other medical conditions you may have can affect the drug’s half-life. But Cymbalta usually stays in your system for about 60 hours.

If you have other questions about Cymbalta, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.

Can Cymbalta be used to treat other conditions, such as bipolar disorder, OCD, and migraine?

Cymbalta may be prescribed to treat conditions other than the ones it is approved to treat. This is known as off-label use. The conditions include bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and migraine.

Your medical professional or pharmacist should be able to help answer other questions you have about Cymbalta’s off-label uses.

What kind of feeling does Cymbalta give you?

Cymbalta may boost your mood or make you feel calm. But the drug isn’t expected to make you feel “high.”

It’s hard to predict how you’ll feel when you first start taking the drug. This is because Cymbalta works by affecting certain chemicals in your brain.

When you first start treatment with Cymbalta, it’s recommended that you pay close attention to your actions, behaviors, moods, and thoughts. If you notice any changes, such as feeling like your depression symptoms are getting worse, be sure to talk with your medical professional right away.

It’s vital to talk with them if you notice any unusual changes in your thoughts or behaviors, especially if you’re age 24 or younger. This is because Cymbalta has a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviors in this age group. For details, you can see “Side effects: A closer look” in the “Does Cymbalta have side effects?” section above.

To learn more about what you may expect when using Cymbalta, we suggest that you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.

Does Cymbalta cause hair loss?

No, Cymbalta isn’t known to cause hair loss.

But some other drugs used to treat mental health conditions, such as fluvoxamine and bupropion (Wellbutrin), may cause hair loss.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, we recommend that you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest helpful treatments.

Should I expect to have restless legs if I take Cymbalta?

Restless legs wasn’t specifically reported as a side effect by people taking Cymbalta in clinical trials.

But some people did report feeling agitated or restless. In some cases, this included physical restlessness, which could involve restless legs.

We encourage you to talk with your doctor if you experience restlessness, including restless legs, while taking Cymbalta. They may suggest ways to treat this side effect, such as lowering your Cymbalta dose. Or they may recommend that you stop taking Cymbalta and try a different medication for your condition.

Stopping Cymbalta treatment can cause withdrawal. Suddenly stopping Cymbalta use may increase your risk for discontinuation syndrome, which can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms from suddenly stopping Cymbalta treatment can include:

  • digestive problems, such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
  • dizziness
  • fatigue (lack of energy)
  • feeling anxious or irritable
  • feeling a burning or prickling sensation (usually in your arms, feet, or legs)
  • headache
  • excessive sweating
  • brain zaps (electrical shock sensations in your brain)

You may wonder how long Cymbalta withdrawal may last. The effects usually go away on their own, but some can be severe.

Due to the risk of withdrawal, it’s very important that you don’t suddenly stop taking Cymbalta. Instead, your medical professional will wean you off the drug. They’ll lower your dosage slowly over time. This is called a drug taper.

There isn’t a single recommend drug taper for Cymbalta. Your medical professional can help plan a drug taper specific to you and your dosage.

If you’ve been diagnosed with pain, your medical professional may discuss Cymbalta with you. To learn more about the drug’s use for certain kinds of pain, we encourage you to keep reading. For information on the other uses of Cymbalta, you can refer to the “What are Cymbalta’s other uses?” section below.

Cymbalta for long-term muscle and bone pain

Cymbalta is used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults. This is pain you feel in your bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons. For the pain to be considered chronic (long-term) pain, it must last for more than 3 to 6 months.

It’s not known how Cymbalta works to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Cymbalta for fibromyalgia

Cymbalta is used to treat fibromyalgia in adults as well as children ages 13 and older. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain, trouble concentrating, and fatigue (lack of energy).

It’s not fully understood what causes fibromyalgia or how Cymbalta works to treat it.

Cymbalta for nerve pain due to diabetes

Cymbalta is for use in adults to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain due to diabetes).

People with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes may develop nerve pain. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage nerves over time.

It’s not known how Cymbalta works to treat nerve pain due to diabetes.

If you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, your medical professional may discuss Cymbalta with you. To learn more about the drug’s use for anxiety or depression, we encourage you to keep reading. For information on Cymbalta’s use in treating certain kinds of pain, you can see the “Is Cymbalta used for pain?” section above.

Cymbalta for generalized anxiety disorder

Cymbalta is for use in adults as well as children ages 7 and older to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD feel extreme anxiety or have anxiety that lasts longer than 6 months. These feelings interrupt or interfere with daily life.

It’s thought that Cymbalta works to treat anxiety by affecting certain chemicals in your brain.

Cymbalta for depression

Cymbalta is for use in adults to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), which is commonly called depression. People with MDD have feelings such as sadness, anger, or loss most days that interferes with daily life. MDD can also cause other symptoms, such as digestive problems, not being able to concentrate, and feeling more tired than usual.

It’s thought that Cymbalta works to treat depression by affecting certain chemicals in your brain.

It’s not known whether it’s possible to misuse Cymbalta. (“Misuse” means taking doses that are too high or using a drug in a way that your medical professional didn’t prescribe.)

This is because Cymbalta isn’t known to be addictive or cause dependence. The drug isn’t a controlled substance. (A controlled substance is a drug that the government regulates because it could lead to misuse or addiction in some people.)

Cymbalta also isn’t a narcotic, which is another name for opioids.

If you have other questions about taking Cymbalta, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.

Your medical professional can help explain how to take Cymbalta. They can also advise you on how much to take and how often. It’s important to follow the instructions they provide. Commonly used dosages are mentioned below, but it’s vital that you always take the dosage that you’re prescribed.

Tips for taking Cymbalta

Cymbalta comes as capsules that you swallow whole. You can take them with or without food. Taking Cymbalta with a full glass of water can help you swallow capsules.

Taking Cymbalta with other drugs

Depending on the condition you’re using Cymbalta to treat, the drug may be used alone. Or it may be used together with other drugs.

Your medical professional or pharmacist can answer questions you may have about taking Cymbalta with other drugs.

Frequently asked questions about taking Cymbalta

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cymbalta treatment.

How long does Cymbalta take to work? Researchers in clinical trials didn’t measure how quickly Cymbalta started working for any of the conditions the drug is approved to treat. For example, it’s not known how fast Cymbalta works for anxiety.

It’s recommended that you take Cymbalta for at least 4 weeks if you’re using it to treat depression. Some people taking serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta may see symptoms ease within 2 weeks. But it may take longer for your symptoms to ease.

If you have other questions about how long Cymbalta takes to work, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Cymbalta? If you miss a dose of Cymbalta, try to take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. There aren’t known symptoms after missing a dose of Cymbalta.

Do not take two doses to try and make up for the missed dose. This could increase your risk for side effects. For details, you can see the “Does Cymbalta have side effects?” section above.

What’s the best time to take Cymbalta? There’s no one best time to take Cymbalta. But to help you remember your dose, try taking it at the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping due to Cymbalta, you might consider taking the drug early in the morning. For details, you can see “Sleep problems” in the “Does Cymbalta have side effects?” section above.

Is Cymbalta meant for long-term use? If you and your medical professional agree that Cymbalta is working well to treat your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.

Can you chew, split, or crush Cymbalta? No, do not chew, split, or crush Cymbalta capsules. The capsules are delayed release, which means they’re specially made to release slowly into your body over time. Opening the capsules, or damaging them by chewing or crushing them, can cause the drug to not release into your system correctly.

If you have trouble swallowing Cymbalta capsules, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional or pharmacist.

Should you take Cymbalta with food? You can take Cymbalta with or without food.

What should you ask your medical professional?

It’s common to have questions about your treatment plan for Cymbalta. Your medical professional is there to work with you and help address any concerns you have.

To help guide your discussion, here are some suggestions:

  • You can write down questions you have before your visit. For example, “How will taking Cymbalta affect my mood, body, and lifestyle?”
  • You can think about asking a loved one or friend to come with you to your appointment. Having in-person support may help you feel more at ease.
  • You can ask your medical professional to explain anything that you find unclear.

Working with your healthcare team may help you stay on track with your treatment. If you find that you’re not getting answers to your questions or receiving the care you deserve, you can consider seeking a second opinion.

Some important things to discuss with your medical professional when considering treatment with Cymbalta include your overall health and any medical conditions you may have. It’s also important to tell them about any medications you take.

These factors may impact whether Cymbalta is safe for you.

Interactions

Taking certain drugs, foods, vaccines, and other substances with a medication may affect how that medication works. These effects are known as interactions.

Before you take Cymbalta, be sure to tell your medical professional about any other drugs you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication. It’s also important to mention any herbs, supplements, and vitamins you may use. Your medical professional or pharmacist can tell you about possible interactions these substances may have with Cymbalta.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Cymbalta can interact with several types of drugs, including:

We haven’t listed all types of drugs that may interact with Cymbalta. Your medical professional or pharmacist can provide more details as well as information on other possible interactions.

Other interactions

Cymbalta can also interact with the supplement St. John’s wort. Because both Cymbalta and St. John’s wort can raise your serotonin level, taking them together can increase your risk for serotonin syndrome. This is a rare but serious side effect caused by drugs that affect your serotonin levels.

Because of this risk, it’s not recommended to take Cymbalta and St. John’s Wort together. We advise that you talk with your medical professional about safe treatments for your condition. They can suggest a treatment plan that’s appropriate for you.

FDA boxed warning

Cymbalta has a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The boxed warning appears on the drug’s label and alerts you to possible serious risks.

The use of antidepressants, including Cymbalta, may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people ages 24 and younger. This includes children, teens, and young adults.

For details, you can see “Side effects: A closer look” in the “Does Cymbalta have side effects?” section above.

Other warnings

If you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health, Cymbalta may not be the right choice for you. Before you take Cymbalta, it’s important to discuss your health history with your medical professional. The list below includes some factors to consider.

  • Angle-closure glaucoma. It’s not common, but Cymbalta can cause your pupils to dilate. This can cause angle-closure glaucoma. The risk is higher in people who already have narrow eye angles. Before you start taking Cymbalta, it’s advised that you ask your medical professional if you need an eye exam.
  • Bipolar depression. Taking Cymbalta if you have bipolar depression may increase your risk for mania or hypomania. Your medical professional will typically screen you for bipolar depression before prescribing Cymbalta. If you know you have bipolar depression, make sure your medical professional is aware. Cymbalta isn’t approved to treat bipolar depression.
  • Bleeding problems. Cymbalta can increase your risk for bleeding. Your risk could be higher than usual if you already have a problem with bleeding. Before you take Cymbalta, let your medical professional know if you have a known bleeding problem.
  • Diabetes. If you have diabetes, taking Cymbalta may make it harder than usual to manage your blood sugar. We encourage you to talk with your medical professional about how the drug could impact your diabetes treatment plan.
  • Heart problems. Taking Cymbalta may increase your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure or heart problems, the drug may not be safe for you. Before you take Cymbalta, be sure your medical professional is aware of any heart problems you may have.
  • Liver problems. Although rare, some people developed liver problems while taking Cymbalta. You may be at higher risk than usual if you already have liver problems. Your medical professional can determine whether Cymbalta is right for you.
  • Low level of sodium in your blood. Cymbalta can cause a low level of sodium in your blood. If your level is already low, taking Cymbalta may worsen this condition. Your medical professional can check your level and help determine whether Cymbalta is safe for you to take.
  • Seizures. In rare cases, people taking Cymbalta reported having seizures. (People with a history of seizures weren’t included in clinical trials of Cymbalta.) If you have or had seizures, be sure to talk with your medical professional to determine whether Cymbalta is safe for you to take.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Cymbalta or any of its ingredients, it’s advised that you don’t take Cymbalta. Your medical professional can recommend other treatments for your condition.

Cymbalta and alcohol

While you take Cymbalta, it’s recommended that you avoid or minimize drinking alcohol.

Having a drink or two typically won’t cause harm. But it’s important to note that both Cymbalta and alcohol can cause some similar side effects. These can include:

Using Cymbalta and drinking alcohol could increase your risk for side effects or make these side effects worse. (For more about Cymbalta’s side effects, you can see the “Does Cymbalta have side effects?” section above.)

Your medical professional can advise you on how much alcohol is safe for you to consume during your treatment.

Cymbalta use while pregnant or breastfeeding

Here’s some information on Cymbalta, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Cymbalta and pregnancy

It’s not known if Cymbalta is safe to use while pregnant. Some studies have shown that the drug could harm a developing fetus, but more research is needed.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, we recommend talking with your medical professional before you take Cymbalta. They can review the pros and cons of the drug with you.

If you become pregnant while taking Cymbalta, it’s important to talk with them right away. They can advise you on the right treatment for your condition.

The manufacturer of Cymbalta maintains a pregnancy registry, which tracks information on pregnant people who take the drug. You can join this registry online or by calling 866-814-6975.

Cymbalta and breastfeeding

Cymbalta passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. These can include drowsiness and poor feeding. The drug isn’t known to cause serious side effects.

If you’re considering breastfeeding while taking Cymbalta, it’s advised that you talk with your medical professional. They can review healthy ways for you to feed your child as well as treatment options for your condition.

It’s important that you don’t take more Cymbalta than your medical professional recommends. Using more than the recommended dosage can lead to severe side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

What to do in case you take too much Cymbalta

If you believe you’ve taken too much Cymbalta, it’s important to call your medical professional right away. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if your symptoms are severe, it’s vital that you immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the closest emergency room.

Cymbalta is a prescription drug. The costs of prescription medications may depend on several factors, such as your insurance coverage and the pharmacy you use.

If you’re wondering how to pay for Cymbalta, you can talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. You may also want to visit the website of the Cymbalta manufacturer to see if support options are available.

If you still have questions about Cymbalta after reading this article, we recommend that you talk with your medical professional. Together you can decide if Cymbalta might be a good choice for you.

You can also discuss other treatments, forms of support, and resources that may benefit you. We’ve listed some helpful suggestions below.

Additional treatment options

While you take Cymbalta, additional treatments or remedies may help you better manage your condition. These can include:

For more self-help tips, we encourage you to read these related articles on anxiety and depression. Your medical professional may also have helpful suggestions.

Finding support

Whether you’re looking for a therapist, support group, or information on how to afford therapy, these resources may help:

Other resources

To receive weekly information on mental health, you may want to sign up for the Psych Central newsletter. You’ll find stories directly from other people on their mental health journey as well as the latest information on treatments.

Q:

I’m having sexual problems while taking Cymbalta. Could using a second antidepressant help?

Anonymous patient

A:

Possibly. To help you manage sexual side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, your medical professional may recommend treatment with an additional antidepressant. Or they may switch you to a different medication. Some antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) have a lower risk than others of causing sexual side effects.

If you experience sexual side effects with Cymbalta, we encourage you to talk with your medical professional about available treatments.

Note: For more information on sexual side effects and Cymbalta, you can refer to “Side effects: A closer look” in the “Does Cymbalta have side effects?” section above.

Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBAAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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