Cymbalta is a popular drug used for treating depression. It belongs to a class of medicines called SSNRIs and is designed to cure depression which results from the chemical imbalance within the brain. It is meant to treat depressive of serious nature; it can also be used to cure general anxiety. Besides, Cymbalta is also useful for treating fibromyalgia which is a serious pain disorder. It is also affective to cure pain which results from nerve damage in diabetic patients. Other than these uses, this drug can be also used for other purposes.

Just as in case of other antidepressants, the user may have thoughts of suicide. Particularly for younger people, this effect is often visible. For this reason, you need to see your doctor regularly so that he can keep a close check on you. While taking this drug, in case you feel worse and have symptoms like behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks insomnia or restlessness, you need to intimate your doctor immediately. If you feel impulsive, irritable, aggressive, or hyperactive then also you need to seek your doctor’s help on urgent basis.

Things to avoid with Cymbalta

Cymbalta should not be taken in combination with certain drugs. These medicines include Mellaril, Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl. Other drugs which should also be avoided with it are Emsam and Parnate.

You should try not to consume alcohol while you are using Cymbalta. This is because alcohol may perk up the peril of liver damage. There are some drugs which may make you feel dizzier. For this reason, you need to inform your doctor if you are taking medicines such as drugs for allergy, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills or muscle relaxers.

Some Precautions before Using Cymbalta

Prior to starting Cymbalta, you need to intimate your doctor if you have certain medical conditions including liver or kidney ailment, seizures, epilepsy, glaucoma or a bleeding or blood clotting disorder. You should also tell him if you have diseases such as bipolar disorder or if you have been into drugs. Your doctor may give you an adjusted dose of Cymbalta if you have any of these issues or he may ask for some medical tests to ensure this medicine is safe for you.

Pregnant women need to inform their doctor about their state as well for the reason that Cymbalta may harm the unborn baby. Duloxetine may pass into the breast milk and may prove to be harmful for a nursing baby. For this reason, before taking this drug you need to intimate your doctor if you are breast-feeding your baby. Those who are younger than 18 years must not use this medicine.

Taking Cymbalta

You need to use Cymbalta as prescribed by your doctor. It must not be consumed in larger amounts than prescribed. Also, you should not take this medicine for longer period of time than prescribed for you. You should try to have Cymbalta at the same time every day for best results.

Cymbalta must not be crushed, chewed, or broken. You need to swallow the entire pill as the design of this drug is to release the medicine slowly within your system. If you break or open the pill, you will allow increased amount of medicine to enter your body at once which is not beneficial.

Generally, it takes about a month for your symptoms to get better when using Cymbalta. You must not discontinue this drug without consulting your doctor. It may give way to certain negative side effects if you stop it at once.

Storing Cymbalta

You need to keep Cymbalta at room temperature. Make sure it is not exposed to moisture or heat.

What to do in case of missing a dose or taking overdose?

In case you miss a does of Cymbalta, you should take it as soon as you remember. But if too much time has gone by and it is time for next dose, you can simply skip the missed one and move to the next dose. There is no need to take more medicine to cover up for the amount you missed.

If you think you have taken more than the recommended dose of Cymbalta, you should seek medical aid on urgent basis. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and confusion indicate that you have taken overdose. If you experience hallucinations, fast heart beat, or fainting, then also you need to get medical assistance at once.

Serious and mild side effects of Cymbalta

Like all drugs, Cymbalta also has certain side effects. Some of them can be grave while other can be mild. If you experience symptoms such as skin rash or hives or if you have trouble in breathing you should get emergency help. Also, if you see swelling on your face or lips you need to seek medical emergency assistance.

In case of serious symptoms such as change in behavior, anxiety, insomnia or panic attacks you need to get immediate medical assistance. If you feel irritable, agitated, aggressive or hyperactive then also you need to take it seriously. Other serious side effects include nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools and bleeding. High fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating are also serious side effects which need to be attended at once. If you undergo headache, memory problems, confusion, fainting, or seizure, you need to get in touch with your doctor.

The mild side effects of Cymbalta are those which do not have any serious harm. These include dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, spinning sensation, mild nausea, constipation and gastric issues. Some people may also experience insomnia or muscle pain. Besides, there can a number of other side effects of Cymbalta.