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Learning to Treat Depression

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Is Cymbalta Right for Me?

Understanding Depression

Major depressive disorder (depression) is not just a temporary mood, and it's not a sign of personal weakness. Depression is a serious medical condition with a variety of symptoms. Emotional symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, restlessness, and trouble concentrating or making decisions. Physical symptoms can include fatigue, lack of energy, and changes in weight or sleep patterns. Additional symptoms of depression may include vague aches and pains, irritability, anxiety, and thoughts of death or suicide.

There are many theories about the cause of depression. One common theory is that depression is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring substances in the brain and spinal cord.

Where Does Depression Hurt?

Someone with depression might think or say any of the following:

  • "I feel sad all the time and just don't feel like myself."
  • "I don't enjoy being with my friends or doing any of the things I usually love to do."
  • "I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately."
  • "Sometimes I feel like my life is not worth living anymore."
  • "I feel like I don't have any energy."
  • "I'm not really interested in eating."
  • "Even after a long day, I still feel restless."
  • "I feel so indecisive and that I can't make any decisions."
  • "I just feel so worthless."

Research suggests that about two-thirds of people diagnosed with depression talk to their family doctors first about physical symptoms.

Seek Help

Many people suffer in silence with depression. Some are ashamed or afraid to seek help; others try to downplay the severity of their symptoms. It's important to remember that depression isn't something that's "all in your head."

Take Suicidal Thoughts Seriously

Thoughts about death or suicide are common in depression, and it's important to take such thoughts seriously. If you feel like giving up or as if you might hurt yourself, get help immediately:

  • Call your doctor
  • Go to the emergency room
  • Call 911
  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Family History May Be Important

People with a family history of depression may be more likely to get the disease, but anyone can become depressed. Sometimes the triggers are external — for example, relationship troubles or financial problems. At other times the disease may begin with physical illness or hormonal shifts. Depression also may occur without any identifiable trigger at all.

Who Does Depression Hurt?

Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide. It is a condition that impacts individuals of all races, ethnicities and income levels.

Unfortunately, many people with depression avoid seeking treatment because they worry about what others will think of them. They don't realize how widespread this medical condition is:

  • Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide
  • Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression
  • People with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop the disease
  • People with chronic or debilitating medical conditions may also be susceptible to the disease
  • A major life change, even a happy one like becoming a new parent, increases the risk of developing depression

The fact is depression affects plenty of people who don't have any obvious risk factors.

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Important Safety Information

Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?
Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

You should also know that:

  • Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders.
  • Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
  • All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
  • Cymbalta is not approved for use in patients under age 18.

Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:

  • You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
  • You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
  • You are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine)

What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

  • about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
  • about your alcohol use
  • if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life-threatening condition
  • if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
  • if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant

While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

  • if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
  • if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
  • before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
  • if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta

If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.

What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.

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Cymbalta is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company

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Cymbalta is approved for the acute
and maintenance treatment of depression.

Safety Information and Boxed Warning
Prescribing Information | Medication Guide