Does Cymbalta help with lupus? (5+ benefits)

In this article, we will discuss if Cymbalta can help treat symptoms of lupus and the mechanism behind Cymbalta’s treatment of lupus. We will also look into some research studies about the use of Cymbalta in lupus treatment.

Does Cymbalta help with lupus? 

Yes, Cymbalta can help manage symptoms associated with lupus, but it cannot treat lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks one’s own tissues and is characterised by fever, inflammation, fatigue, joint swelling, butterfly rash on the face, oral ulcers, damage to other organs, decreased platelets, muscle and joint pain etc. (1)

Lupus is a chronic disease, and chronic diseases are associated with depression and anxiety. Cymbalta, which is an antidepressant, helps treat depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain associated with lupus. (2,3)

It usually takes 1-2 weeks for duloxetine to show its effect; you may not notice any sudden changes in the beginning. Significant improvement in the symptoms is observed within a month of treatment. The time taken for the drug to show its action differs from person to person.  

What does the research suggest?

A woman of age 38 years diagnosed with SLE showed symptoms of depression and other symptoms of SLE. In view of depression, she was prescribed duloxetine 20mg/day at the beginning of the treatment, which was then slowly increased up to 100mg/day in divided doses. The patient showed improvement in her depressive symptoms in about 28 days. (4)

The use of duloxetine in treating chronic pain has shown significant benefits. When compared to placebo for treating chronic pain associated with neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and arthritis, duloxetine at doses of 60-120mg was found to be effective. Ten research studies have shown a reduction in pain with the use of duloxetine and a positive effect on quality of life. (5)

What symptoms of lupus does Cymbalta treat? 

Duloxetine is approved by the FDA to treat depression, anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, chronic musculoskeletal pain and diabetic neuropathy and is off-labelled use to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and stress urinary incontinence in men and women. (2)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system fails to differentiate between your cells and foreign bodies and attacks your own body tissues, which leads to a variety of symptoms. Cymbalta helps treat symptoms such as inflammation chronic pain depression and anxiety disorders associated with lupus.

Duloxetine has an anti-inflammatory action that helps treat SLE-associated musculoskeletal symptoms, which involve inflammation in joints and cause pain. (6) Duloxetine also helps manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are always accompanied by chronic diseases. (7)

How does Cymbalta help with lupus? 

The mechanism of Cymbalta involves the inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake transporters, which increases the level of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Inhibition of norepinephrine transporters indirectly influences the levels of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. (2)

An increase in these neurotransmitters has a positive effect on cognitive function, such as mood, attention, energy levels, etc. The use of duloxetine is beneficial in SLE because of its dual nature to treat depression and chronic pain. (2)

Duloxetine treats pain by inhibiting the neuronal activity in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This inhibition of neurons suppresses the signals of pain from reaching the brain. This phenomenon of duloxetine helps reduce pain perception by at least 50%. (6)

The dose of duloxetine in treating pain and anxiety disorders ranges between 30mg to 60mg per day. The treatment of duloxetine begins with a lower dose and can be gradually increased to the tolerated dose. If well tolerated the dose of duloxetine can be increased up to 120mg/day. (2)

With an increase in dose, the risk of side effects also increases. The side effects associated with duloxetine therapy are: (2)

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Tremors

What precautions should be taken when using Cymbalta for lupus?

While using antidepressants to treat your condition, it is essential to consider a few precautionary measures to minimise the side effects caused by antidepressants. Here are some tips to help you use antidepressants safely and effectively. 

• Always follow the instructions given by your physician. Do not increase or decrease your dose without consulting your physician. 
• If you are experiencing any side effects, make sure you consult your physician for management instead of discontinuing your medication.
• Abrupt discontinuation of Cymbalta can cause withdrawal symptoms, which will worsen your condition. Discontinuation of antidepressants is done by tapering the dose to the lowest and gradually stopping the drug. 
• Swallow the capsule or tablet as a whole; do not crush or chew the tablet, and do not open the capsule and consume the medication.
• If you do not notice any change in your symptoms even after one month of treatment, consult your physician. Your physician will adjust your dose or switch to another antidepressant.
• Make sure you consume Cymbalta at the same time of the day. If you tend to forget, set up an alarm to help you remember to take your dose. 
• Avoid alcohol while taking Cymbalta, as it can decrease the effectiveness of the drug. 
• Talk to your physician about the OTC medication which you can combine with Cymbalta and the medication that you have to avoid. 

In my experience, Cymbalta can help treat symptoms associated with lupus. Cymbalta has shown positive responses in treating depression, anxiety and pain associated with lupus. If you are experiencing any side effects after taking Cymbalta, make sure you consult your physician. 

Do not discontinue your medication without consulting your physician. Abrupt discontinuation of the drugs can lead to worsening of your symptoms. 

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