Duloxetine
Duloxetine is a serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor medicine
- Cymbalta "Sim-BAL-ta"
- Yentreve "Yentreve"
What can it be used for?
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If you are 18 or over, duloxetine can be prescribed for you as a licensed medicine for depression (low mood), generalised anxiety disorder and some other conditions.
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If you are under 18, there is less research about its use and effectiveness in young people, Even so, specialists might prescribe it ‘off label’ if it is the best medicine for you.
Ways to take and what's in it?
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Capsules (20mg, 30mg, 40mg or 60mg strength)
Duloxetine can be used to help with low mood and anxiety.
It will usually be prescribed alongside a ‘talking’ therapy.
If you have taken more duloxetine than it said on the label, you must see a doctor quickly - even if you do not feel any different.
Duloxetine can make some people think about hurting themselves or committing suicide. You must go straight to hospital with your tablets if you have any of these thoughts.
Duloxetine can also cause other serious side-effects: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat, itching skin lumps), and other serious symptoms that you can find on the warnings and side effects page. Go to a hospital if you get any of these symptoms, with your medicine.
Do not take duloxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant (MAOI) like moclobemide, phenelzine, isocarboxazid or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Stopping duloxetine suddenly can cause serious side-effects - go to your doctor if you want to stop, or if you are having these effects.
You may feel sleepy, and your eyesight might be affected, in the first few days after taking duloxetine – do not drive a car, ride a bike or operate machines until you see how this affects you.
If you take duloxetine while you are pregnant, it may affect the developing baby. Use good contraception while you are taking duloxetine. It can also cause symptoms in newborn babies if you take it at the end of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or midwife about this and get their help.