Does Cymbalta have serious side effects? (+5 side effects)

In this article, we will discuss the serious and mild side effects associated with the use of Cymbalta and their management.

Does Cymbalta have serious side effects?

Yes, Cymbalta does have serious side effects. Although Cymbalta is considered a well-tolerated medication, it may cause some serious side effects in susceptible patients with underlying risk factors including, individual sensitivity to Cymbalta, concurrent use of medications that may interact with Cymbalta, use of alcohol, and overall emotional and physical health condition. 

Cymbalta is an antidepressant medication that is frequently prescribed for the management of various conditions such as depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain (1).

What are the serious side effects of Cymbalta?

Cymbalta may cause serious side effects in some individuals. The serious and less common side effects of Cymbalta may include (1):

  • liver toxicity
  • electrolyte imbalances
  • serotonin syndrome
  • hallucinations
  • cardiovascular side effects

What are the mild to moderate side effects of Cymbalta?

Cymbalta has a well-tolerated safety profile with mild to moderate side effects that may occur in most of the individuals who start taking this medication. These side effects may include (1,3):

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • dry mouth
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • agitation
  • sleep disturbances
  • aggression
  • drowsiness
  • blurred vision
  • gastrointestinal discomfort
  • constipation 

These side effects most commonly occur in the initial period of the treatment with Cymbalta or when the dosage is increased during the treatment. No additional medication is generally prescribed to manage these side effects as they subside after the body adjusts to the medication.  

What does research suggest? 

According to a research study on the use of Cymbalta in the management of mental disorders, the findings indicate a favorable safety profile. Only 17% of participants reported mild to moderate side effects, while serious cardiovascular complications occurred in less than 1% of patients (2).

These results suggest that, overall, Cymbalta is deemed safe in the context of mental health treatment, with a low incidence of severe adverse events.

In another research study, the use of Cymbalta in the treatment of depression demonstrated a positive safety profile, with less than 10% of participants experiencing adverse effects. The most commonly reported side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, and sweating (5).

What to do if Cymbalta causes serious side effects?

If you experience any of the serious side effects of Cymbalta, you should consult your doctor immediately. Your healthcare provider may assess your condition and change your treatment plan according to your specific needs.

The adverse effects of Cymbalta are generally managed by providing a symptomatic treatment. Such as antiemetics are recommended for the treatment of Cymbalta-induced nausea and vomiting, whereas over-the-counter painkillers are prescribed for headaches and fatigue which is frequently reported with the use of Cymbalta. 

Your healthcare provider may change the dosage of Cymbalta if the higher dosage of the medication is associated with its serious adverse effects. Dosage adjustment reduced the frequency and intensity of adverse effects in most of the patients.

However, if the dosage adjustment is not helpful in preventing these side effects, your healthcare provider may recommend you an alternative medication to Cymbalta, that is less likely to cause serious adverse effects as compared to Cymbalta.

What are the alternatives to Cymbalta if it causes side effects?

If the risks of therapy involving Cymbalta are higher than its intended benefits and the serious adverse effects of Cymbalta are affecting the quality of life of individuals with depression, anxiety, or any other mental disorder then healthcare providers may recommend alternatives to Cymbalta that are equally effective in the management of health condition for which Cymbalta was prescribed but are less likely to cause any serious adverse effect as compared to Cymbalta.

These medications may include (4):

  • citalopram
  • fluvoxamine
  • agomelatine
  • mirtazapine 
  • sertraline
  • bupropion 

It is important to note that all antidepressant medications are associated with some side effects. These side effects may not occur in all individuals but the individual responses to medications may vary and some individuals are more susceptible to the adverse effects of these medications. 

In my opinion, personalized treatment plans should be made by healthcare providers, tailored to the needs of individual patients to reduce the occurrence of unwanted side effects. 

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References

1.-

Dhaliwal JS, Spurling BC, Molla M. Duloxetine. 2023 May 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31747213. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31747213/

2.-

Raskin J, Goldstein DJ, Mallinckrodt CH, Ferguson MB. Duloxetine in the long-term treatment of major depressive disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003 Oct;64(10):1237-44. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v64n1015. PMID: 14658974. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14658974/

3.-

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/

4.-

Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, Lee SJ, Patkar AA, Masand PS, Pae CU. Addressing the Side Effects of Contemporary Antidepressant Drugs: A Comprehensive Review. Chonnam Med J. 2018 May;54(2):101-112. doi: 10.4068/cmj.2018.54.2.101. Epub 2018 May 25. PMID: 29854675; PMCID: PMC5972123. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29854675/

5.-

Brecht S, Courtecuisse C, Debieuvre C, Croenlein J, Desaiah D, Raskin J, Petit C, Demyttenaere K. Efficacy and safety of duloxetine 60 mg once daily in the treatment of pain in patients with major depressive disorder and at least moderate pain of unknown etiology: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007 Nov;68(11):1707-16. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v68n1110. PMID: 18052564. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18052564/

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