Can You lose weight on Cymbalta and Adderall?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can you lose weight on Cymbalta and Adderall?
You can lose weight on Cymbalta and Adderall. However, none of these two medications is a weight loss pill and they should not even be considered for that purpose.
Doctors may sometimes combine Cymbalta and Adderall for specific conditions such as comorbid depression and ADHD (1). This combination can help address both conditions simultaneously.
However, the decision to use this combination and the dosages prescribed are based on a careful assessment of individual needs and potential risks.
Cymbalta may enhance the effects of Adderall by making your body absorb more of the drug. Both of them act as stimulants as Cymbalta increases the number of excitatory neurotransmitters in your brain and Adderall is an Amphetamine, a controlled substance (1,2).
Losing or gaining weight should be the least of your concerns as this combination holds a lot of other risks. Make sure you don’t pair these two together unless your healthcare provider has prescribed this combination.
Even in that case, proper dose administration is crucial as a slight overdose can lead to the disturbing symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome.
Effects of the Combination of Cymbalta and Adderall on body weight
The combination of Cymbalta and Adderall can have various effects on body weight. Research suggests that both medications can potentially cause weight loss as a side effect.
Cymbalta, an antidepressant, may affect appetite and lead to decreased food intake, resulting in weight loss (3,4). Adderall, a stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD, can suppress appetite and increase metabolism, also leading to weight loss (5).
However, it’s important to note that the effects on body weight can vary among individuals. Some people may experience weight loss, while others may not have any significant changes or even experience weight gain.
Individual factors such as metabolism, lifestyle, and overall health can influence how the medications affect weight. Some people may gain weight on Cymbalta or Adderall.
Potential risks of combining Cymbalta and Adderall
The combination of Cymbalta and Adderall is associated with some risks, especially if the doses are not adjusted and the treatment is not planned properly. These include (2,6):
Increased risk of serotonin syndrome
Both Cymbalta and Adderall can affect serotonin levels in the brain. When taken together, there is a higher risk of developing serotonin syndrome, a potentially dangerous condition characterized by symptoms such as confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, and muscle stiffness (7).
Elevated blood pressure and heart rate
Adderall is a stimulant that can raise blood pressure and heart rate. When combined with Cymbalta, which may also have cardiovascular effects, there is an increased risk of further elevating blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to cardiovascular complications (2,6).
Enhanced side effects
Combining Cymbalta and Adderall can increase the intensity and occurrence of common side effects associated with each medication. These may include nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, anxiety, and dizziness (2,6).
Risk of drug interactions
Both Cymbalta and Adderall can interact with other medications, and when taken together, the potential for drug interactions increases.
It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, to ensure there are no harmful interactions (2,6).
Worsening mental health symptoms
While Cymbalta is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety, Adderall can potentially exacerbate certain mental health symptoms, including agitation, irritability, and mood swings. Combining these medications may increase the risk of experiencing these adverse effects (2,6).
It is crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before combining Cymbalta and Adderall. They will consider your medical history, individual needs, and potential risks to make an informed decision about the best treatment approach for you.
Final words
To sum up, Cymalta and Adderall are not weight loss pills and they are not prescribed for this reason. Both of these meds have their own pros and cons, with Adderall being a controlled substance.
This is why it’s important to make sure that you take such medications exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Making any changes to such a prescription is not recommended. If you are concerned about your body weight, please opt for a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
If this can’t help you lose weight or you have stepped into obesity, please reach out to your healthcare provider. Do not start using any medication for the sake of weight loss without consulting your doctor first.
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References
1.-
Niederhofer H. Duloxetine may improve some symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;12(2):PCC.09l00807. doi: 10.4088/PCC.09l00807pin. PMID: 20694126; PMCID: PMC2910994. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2910994/
2.-
Martin D, Le JK. Amphetamine. 2022 Aug 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32310563. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556103
3.-
Wise TN, Perahia DG, Pangallo BA, Losin WG, Wiltse CG. Effects of the antidepressant duloxetine on body weight: analyses of 10 clinical studies. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;8(5):269-78. doi: 10.4088/pcc.v08n0503. PMID: 17235383; PMCID: PMC1764530. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17235383/
4.-
Wernicke JF, Gahimer J, Yalcin I, Wulster-Radcliffe M, Viktrup L. Safety and adverse event profile of duloxetine. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2005 Nov;4(6):987-93. doi: 10.1517/14740338.4.6.987. PMID: 16255658. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16255658/
5.-
Jones JR, Caul WF, Hill JO. The effects of amphetamine on body weight and energy expenditure. Physiol Behav. 1992 Mar;51(3):607-11. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(92)90187-7. PMID: 1523237. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1523237/
6.-
Dhaliwal JS, Spurling BC, Molla M. Duloxetine. 2023 May 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31747213. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549806
7.-
Simon LV, Keenaghan M. Serotonin Syndrome. 2022 Jul 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29493999. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377
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