Does Cymbalta cause heart palpitations? 5 useful tips
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does Cymbalta cause Heart Palpitations?
Yes, Cymbalta (duloxetine) can cause heart palpitations as a side effect. Although not everyone experiences this, it is important to be aware of all the potential side effects. If concerned about palpitations while taking Cymbalta, consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and guidance.
A study published in February 2013 stated that although safe in other aspects, Cymbalta has prominent side effects on heart activity (1). A 53-year-old patient on Cymbalta was studied under constant supervision and an increase in her heart rate was noted, proving the heart-associated side effects of Cymbalta use.
Are Cymbalta-induced palpitations temporary or permanent?
Cymbalta is a common brand name for the drug duloxetine, which is an antidepressant medication that belongs to the drug class of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). The major side effects associated with duloxetine include nausea, headaches, dry mouth, hair loss, sleep disturbance, and dizziness. Palpitations, which are marked increases in the heart rate, and a feeling of your heart pounding through your chest, are potential side effects of Cymbalta use.
Depending from person to person, the palpitations associated with cymbalta use can be temporary, but also permanent in some cases. Generally, side effects observed with the palpitations occur when the patient first starts using Cymbalta but generally go away as the body gets used to the drug. However, if you encounter any heart palpitations when using Cymbalta, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.
What to do if Cymbalta causes heart palpitations?
Cymbalta can sometimes cause heart palpitations in a patient at the start of the therapy. These heart palpitations usually go away with time, but if these side effects persist, you should follow these steps:
- Don’t Panic: Stay calm, panicking will only make the situation worse.
- Contact Your HealthCare professional: Reach out to your doctor or psychiatrist who prescribed the drug. Explain your condition to them and follow their instructions.
- Seek Emergency help if necessary: If you experience prolonged heart palpitations and the situation is worsening with time, including symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath, seek immediate medical attention.
- Take Notes: Keep a record of your medical condition. Note the time and frequency of palpitations along with other associated symptoms.
- Discuss Alternatives: Your healthcare professional may decide to discontinue the medication and change cymbalta with another drug that can effectively address any underlying condition.
Can Cymbalta-induced Heart Palpitations be life-threatening?
Cymbalta-induced heart palpitations are considered a potential side effect of the medication. These palpitations can be distressing and uncomfortable at times but they are not typically considered life-threatening.
However, every person has a different reaction to any drug being administrated and the responses can vary from person to person. There may be very rare scenarios where the palpitations caused by Cymbalta be considered more severe and have a direct effect on the overall functioning of the heart.
It is however necessary to consult your healthcare professional if you are experiencing any type of changes which you think can have a prominent effect on your health. Your specific situation will be taken into consideration and a specific treatment strategy could be devised by your healthcare professional for your treatment.
Conclusion:
Cymbalta (duloxetine) can cause heart palpitations as a potential side effect, although not everyone may experience them. It is crucial to be aware of all potential side effects when taking Cymbalta and consult a healthcare provider if concerned about palpitations. While Cymbalta-induced palpitations are generally not life-threatening, individual reactions may vary, and it is important to seek medical evaluation for any concerning symptoms. Healthcare professionals can assess your specific situation and provide appropriate guidance and treatment strategies,
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References
1.-
Štuhec M. Duloxetine-induced life-threatening long QT syndrome. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2013;125(3-4):165-166. doi:10.1007/s00508-013-0330-6.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00508-013-0330-6#citeas
2.-
Cymbalta Drugs.com
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