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Frequently Asked Questions about Cymbalta for Depression

It's normal to be a bit apprehensive about taking a medicine for depression. If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, be sure to talk to your doctor. In the meantime, you can also find answers to some frequently asked questions about Cymbalta below. Cymbalta is available only by prescription.

"Life is like riding a bicycle: in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." – Albert Einstein

Remember to be patient. Depression symptoms don't improve overnight. All parts of your treatment plan — such as medicine, talk therapy, and exercise — take time to work.

  1. How is Cymbalta believed to work?
  2. When may Cymbalta begin to work?
  3. Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
  4. What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
  5. How should I take Cymbalta?
  6. What are the most common side effects of Cymbalta?
  7. What happens if I stop taking Cymbalta?
  8. Can children take Cymbalta?

1. How is Cymbalta believed to work?

Although the exact way that Cymbalta works in people is unknown, it is believed to be related to an increase in the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are two naturally occurring substances in the brain.

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2. When may Cymbalta begin to work?

Everyone is different, so results can vary from person to person. Giving the medication time to work is the key to treatment with Cymbalta. It is important to continue to take the medication as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop or make changes to your dose without talking with your healthcare provider first.

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3. Who should NOT take Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is not right for everyone. To determine if Cymbalta is right for you, your healthcare provider must know about your medical history, all of your other medical conditions and all of the medicines you take. You should not take Cymbalta if:

  • you're currently taking or have recently taken a kind of medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), including the antibiotic linezolid
  • you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (eye pain due to increased eye pressure)
  • you're taking Mellaril® (thioridazine)
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4. What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?

Before starting Cymbalta, tell 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
    • a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
    • a medication called Mellaril® (thioridazine)
    • 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 of 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

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

Learn more about Cymbalta by reading the Medication Guide and Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning about antidepressants and risk of suicide.

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5. How should I take Cymbalta?

Take Cymbalta exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not open, break, or chew the capsule; it must be swallowed whole. Cymbalta can be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your regularly scheduled dose. Do not take more than the daily amount of Cymbalta that has been prescribed for you. Remember to refill your prescription before you run out of Cymbalta. Talk with your doctor before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose.

Don’t stop taking Cymbalta or reduce your dose without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping Cymbalta suddenly or reducing your dose may result in symptoms including dizziness, headache, or nausea. This is not a complete list. Your healthcare provider may want to decrease the dose slowly.

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6. What are the most common side effects of Cymbalta?

In clinical studies, the most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, fatigue, constipation, dizziness, decreased appetite, and increased sweating.

This is not a complete list. If you have questions or develop any side effects, talk with your doctor.

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.

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7. What happens if I stop taking Cymbalta?

Don’t stop taking Cymbalta or reduce your dose without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping Cymbalta suddenly or reducing your dose may result in symptoms including dizziness, headache, or nausea (this is not a complete list). Your healthcare provider may want to decrease the dose slowly.

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8. Can children take Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is not approved for use in children under 18.

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Next Article:

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

DD80583 11/2012 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2012. All rights reserved.
Cymbalta is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
This site is intended for US residents age 18 and over.

WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Cymbalta is indicated for the treatment of depression in adults.

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

Important Safety Information and Boxed Warning
Prescribing Information | Medication Guide

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