Can you take Cymbalta and Gabapentin together?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
Can you take Cymbalta and Gabapentin together?
You can take Cymbalta and Gabapentin together if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Both of these meds are prescription medications and they can affect your brain.
They should never be used without your doctor’s approval. Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is an antidepressant, which belongs to the class of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
They usually work by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, two excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters, to help counteract the symptoms associated with a number of conditions.
Gabapentin, on the other hand, is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue that mimics the activity of this inhibitory neurotransmitter.
The combination of Cymbalta and Gabapentin is usually prescribed for the management and treatment of neuropathic pain and the combination is considered quite effective.
However, there are some precautions that should be considered before taking the two meds together. Let’s discuss them.
What are the possible side effects associated with the use of Cymbalta and Gabapentin together?
The concomitant use of Cymbalta and Gabapentin can cause some side effects. However, there are some important concerns that we are going to discuss. These include (1,2):
- Hyponatremia
- Possibility of decreased anticonvulsant activity of Gabapentin
- Psychological side effects
Hyponatremia
The concomitant use of Cymbalta and Gabapentin may result in Hyponatremia, which is defined as sodium deficiency. Although it is quite uncommon, it should still be considered before taking the two meds together.
If you’re sensitive to it, your doctor may ask you for routine screening of sodium levels after a certain amount of time while you’re being treated with Cymbalta and Gabapentin. Make sure you don’t skip it.
Possibility of decreased anticonvulsant activity of Gabapentin
As Cymbalta increases the functions of excitatory neurotransmitters and Gabapentin mimics an inhibitory neurotransmitter, there are chances of decreased antiepileptic activity of Gabapentin when taken concomitantly with Cymbalta.
Although rare, they should be considered. Dose adjustment is usually the key to solving this problem and it works effectively. However, make sure you’re taking the two meds together only if prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Psychological side effects
As both Cymbalta and Gabapentin affect your brain and can alter the amount of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, they are bound to cause some psychological side effects.
However, these side effects can vary from person to person. If you think you’re more sensitive to them or they become unbearable for you at some point, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can.
This combination might not be beneficial for everyone as every individual reacts differently to medications. Cymbalta may affect mental alertness and cause sedation in some cases, which can become much more pronounced if a CNS depressant like Gabapentin is taken along with it.
To sum up:
You can take Cymbalta and Gabapentin together, but only if your doctor thinks you will respond well to it. If you experience any unusual side effects after taking these meds, report them to your healthcare provider.
Make sure you don’t stop these meds abruptly and do not change the dose or frequency without your doctor’s approval.
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References
1.-
MedlinePlus. Gabapentin. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Dec 01]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694007.html
2.-
MedlinePlus. Duloxetine. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Dec 01]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604030.html
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