Do Cymbalta-induced side effects go away? (3+ tips)

In this article, we will answer the question “Do Cymbalta-induced side effects go away?”. We will discuss various initial and long-term side effects of Cymbalta therapy. We will also discuss tips to minimize Cymbalta’s side effects.

Do Cymbalta-induced side effects go away?

Yes, initial and non-serious side effects of Cymbalta tend to go away. It generally takes a few weeks for those effects to subside. But once your body adjusts to the medication these effects go away. If any symptoms persist beyond this duration you should consult a healthcare professional.

Cymbalta (also known as Duloxetine) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat various depressive illnesses and fibromyalgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) and chronic musculoskeletal pain (1).

Cymbalta is known to cause a variety of side effects like nausea, dry mouth, increased appetite, hyperhidrosis, constipation, fatigue, somnolence, abnormal bleeding, hyponatremia, hepatotoxicity, serotonin syndrome etc.

What are some common side effects of Cymbalta?

Cymbalta can produce many different side effects when therapy is initiated. The intensity and duration of these effects may vary from person to person. Some of these side effects are (1,2):

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhoea
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss or gain
• Hyperhidrosis
• Sleepiness or insomnia

These side effects are fairly common and normally go away in almost 1 to 2 weeks when your body adjusts to the medication. But if you do not notice improvement in your symptoms then it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider.

What are some long-term side effects of Cymbalta?

Some side effects occur in individuals who have been taking Cymbalta for a longer duration. Long-term side effects associated with Cymbalta therapy are as follows (1,2):

• Suicidal ideation
• Serotonin syndrome
• Abnormal bleeding
• Activation of mania
• Hepatotoxicity
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Hyponatremia
• Controlled narrow-angle glaucoma
• Hair loss

If you notice any of these side effects you should immediately talk to your healthcare provider for proper guidance. Your doctor may discontinue your medication and give any necessary treatment required to manage these symptoms. Your doctor may also give you an alternative medication for your depression. 

Tips for dealing with side effects while taking Cymbalta 

Although many initial side effects do subside after some time there are a few tips and techniques that can be helpful to manage and reduce your symptoms. Some tips to help you alleviate your symptoms are as follows:

Give your body time to adjust

As the side effects take almost two weeks to go away, you should be patient and persistent with your medication. You should give your body time to adjust to Cymbalta and once that happens your symptoms should resolve on their own.

Communicate with your doctor

Regular communication with your healthcare provider is very important. You should never skip your regular follow-up visits with your doctor. These checkups allow your doctor to help diagnose any abnormalities and provide you with an appropriate plan. If you feel that your symptoms are not resolving then you should immediately talk to your doctor.

Implement self-care strategies

Lifestyle changes and self-care strategies can help alleviate Cymbalta’s side effects. Taking a healthy diet, keeping away from trigger foods and getting regular exercise can help improve your mood as well as reduce your symptoms. Reducing caffeine intake can also help. Alcohol when combined with Cymbalta can also aggravate side effects so it is better to avoid alcohol while on Cymbalta therapy.

Avoid NSAIDs

NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin, or other medications affecting coagulation can increase the risk of bleeding if used with Cymbalta. You should avoid all such medications and inform your doctor if you are taking any such medication before starting therapy.

Recognize serious side effects and seek medical help

You should keep yourself informed about the potential side effects of Cymbalta therapy and how serious they can get. You should also keep track of your symptoms and if you feel anything worsening you must immediately seek medical help.

What to do if Cymbalta does not work for you?

If you feel that Cymbalta is not the right medication for you, or is causing more harm than benefits, you should immediately consult your healthcare provider. Alternative antidepressants are available that may be more helpful for your condition.

Many alternative medications for Cymbalta can be used for depressive disorders like other SNRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) and mood stabilisers.

If you feel Cymbalta is not working for your condition you should talk to your doctor and request an alternative. Your doctor will assess your situation, evaluate the risks and benefits of Cymbalta therapy, compare it with other alternative medications and carve out a regimen based on your individual needs.

Keep in mind that you should not abruptly stop taking Cymbalta. Abrupt cessation of therapy can lead to withdrawal syndrome, which can produce an array of uncomfortable symptoms like (1):

• Nausea
• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Paresthesias
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Anxiety
• Brain zaps
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Seizures

These symptoms can become severe if Cymbalta is not tapered off properly. The discontinuation of Cymbalta has to be gradual and properly tapered. Your healthcare provider may prescribe you an alternative medication for your depression like Prozac and meanwhile, gradually lower the dose of Cymbalta over a few weeks.

Another option is that your doctor may prescribe you different medications to deal with the side effects of withdrawal. You may need to take anti-nausea medications or sleep aids. Psychotherapy and nutritional supplementation can also help individuals going through Cymbalta withdrawal.

In this brief article, we answered the question “Do Cymbalta-induced side effects go away?”. We discussed the initial and long-term side effects of Cymbalta therapy. We also discussed various tips and techniques that can be used to help manage these effects.

In my opinion, some common and initial side effects of Cymbalta tend to go away once your body adjusts to the medication, with persistence and patience being key factors. Healthy habits and lifestyle can also help with these side effects. However, if symptoms do not subside, do not stop taking your medication, instead consult your healthcare provider regarding your condition.

References