Imagine You with Less Fibromyalgia Pain: What to Expect from a Treatment Option (Sponsored)

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Imagine You with Less Fibromyalgia Pain

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This content is from our sponsor. The sponsor has sole editorial control.

What to Expect from
Your Treatment with
Cymbalta

Be Patient and Give Cymbalta Time to Work

In one of two clinical trials of people with fibromyalgia, it was demonstrated that Cymbalta significantly decreased pain and improved function (the ability to perform simple everyday tasks). Some people treated with Cymbalta felt pain improvement in as early as one week, but it may take longer for Cymbalta to take effect.

Giving the medication time to work and taking it every day are key to treatment with Cymbalta. That's why keeping a daily record of your pain and activity levels over several weeks or more can help give you a clearer picture of the progress you may be making.

Everyone is different, and so are their treatment results, so talk openly with your healthcare provider about the progress you may be making, or any side effects you may be experiencing. Don't stop taking Cymbalta without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping Cymbalta suddenly may result in symptoms including dizziness, headache, or nausea. This is not a complete list.

How Should I Take Cymbalta?

Cymbalta should be taken once a day, every day, as directed by your healthcare provider. Cymbalta can be taken with or without food, and you should swallow the capsule whole without opening, breaking, or chewing it.
Try to take your Cymbalta at the same time every day. Then, it can become part of your daily routine. It's also good to refill your prescription for Cymbalta before it runs out.
If you miss a dose, take Cymbalta as soon as you remember. If it's time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your regularly scheduled dose. You should never take more than the daily amount of Cymbalta prescribed for you.
Even if you begin to feel better, and your fibromyalgia pain improves, it's important that you continue your treatment with Cymbalta as directed by your healthcare provider.

Important Safety Information About Cymbalta^®

The most important information you should know about Cymbalta:

Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency help if you have new or worsening depression symptoms; unusual changes in behavior, such as agitation, irritability, impulsivity, or restlessness; or thoughts of suicide. Be especially observant within the first few months of treatment or after a change in dose. Approved only for adults 18 and over.

Cymbalta may be associated with serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away or seek emergency help if you experience any of the following:

Itching, right upper-belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of life-threatening liver problems. Severe liver problems, some fatal, have been reported
High fever, confusion, stiff muscles, muscle twitching, or racing heart rate, which may be signs of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition
Abnormal bleeding, especially if Cymbalta is taken with aspirin, NSAID pain relievers (like ibuprofen or naproxen), or blood thinners
Serious, possibly life-threatening skin reactions, which may include skin blisters, peeling rash, mouth sores, hives, or other allergic reactions
Abnormal mood (mania), which may include greatly increased energy, severe trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, talking more or faster than usual, and reckless behavior
Seizures or convulsions
Decreased blood pressure upon standing, which can cause dizziness or fainting, mostly when first starting or increasing the dose. Cymbalta can also increase blood pressure. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure prior to and while taking Cymbalta
Headache, weakness or feeling unsteady, confusion, problems concentrating, or memory problems, which may be signs of low sodium levels in the blood. Elderly people may be at greater risk
Problems with urination, including decreased flow or inability to pass any urine
Changes in appetite or weight. Children and adolescents should have height and weight monitored

Do not stop Cymbalta or change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider, as you could have side effects.

Cymbalta is not for everyone. Do not take Cymbalta if you:

Are taking or have recently taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), including the antibiotic linezolid, or Mellaril^® (thioridazine). Taking Cymbalta close in time to these medicines can cause serious or even life-threatening side effects
Have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (eye pain due to increased eye pressure)

Before taking Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:

About all your medical conditions, including
- kidney or liver problems, heart problems, or high blood pressure
- glaucoma or diabetes (Cymbalta may worsen diabetes or a type of glaucoma)
- seizures/convulsions, mania, or if you have bipolar disorder
- if you have ever had or been told you have bleeding problems, low sodium levels in your blood, or delayed stomach emptying
About all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements you take or plan to take, including
- antibiotics or medicines for migraine, mood, or psychotic disorders, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition when taken with Cymbalta
- aspirin, NSAID pain relievers, or blood thinners, because they may increase risk for bleeding
About your alcohol use (you should not take Cymbalta if you drink heavily)
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during therapy or are breast-feeding

Most common side effects of Cymbalta (this is not a complete list):

Nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, fatigue, constipation, decreased appetite, increased sweating, dizziness. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other safety information about Cymbalta:

Cymbalta may cause sleepiness and dizziness. Until you know how Cymbalta affects you, you shouldn't drive a car or operate hazardous machinery
People age 65 and older who took Cymbalta reported more falls, some resulting in serious injuries

How to take Cymbalta

Take Cymbalta exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not open, break, or chew capsule; swallow it whole. Cymbalta is available by prescription only.

See Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning about antidepressants and risk of suicide, and Medication Guide.

DD CON ISI 02OCT2012

Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly Corporate Center
Indianapolis, IN - USA

DD78733 11/2012 ©Lilly USA, LLC. 2012. All rights reserved.
Cymbalta is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
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