Osteoarthritis Health Center
Treatment & Care
Can osteoarthritis be cured? What treatment for osteoarthritis is available? Get answers about care and treatment options like physical therapy, medication, and more.
Treatment
Learn the basics of joint protection, medication, surgery, pain management, and alternative medicine.
Treatment for osteoarthritis comes in many forms -- from exercise to surgery. Learn more about your options here.
Is there an osteoarthritis cure? What's the best way to improve your body's function? This quiz helps you find out.
There are several types of osteoarthritis medicines. This overview offers quick, easy explanations of what they are and how they treat arthritis.
Creams, salves and gels can offer osteoarthritis pain relief for some. Find out if they may be right for you.
Anti-inflammatory drugs, also called NSAIDs, are the main treatment for osteoarthritis. Is one better than the other? What are the side effects? Find out here.
Discover how these controversial -- and common -- medications for osteoarthritis reduce your pain.
Knee injections may be able to help reduce your osteoarthritis knee pain. Find out more.
Can glucosamine and other supplements help ease your pain? Who shouldn't take supplements? Find out here.
What exactly is acupuncture and how does it work? This detailed article answers that question and more.
When other osteoarthritis medicines don’t work, narcotic pain relievers may help. But there are things you need to know.
Learn how occupational and physical therapy can help ease arthritis pain.
Advanced Reading: Is prolotherapy -- a way to repair ligaments -- a good treatment for osteoarthritis?
Is it time for knee surgery for osteoarthritis? Find out who needs it and what to expect.
Find out what happens during hip replacement surgery and what to expect afterwards.
Who can this surgery help, what are its benefits, and what are the risks?
Care
Check with your doctor to get control of your osteoarthritis: Ask your doctor these 10 questions.
Eleven steps for getting started with exercise for your arthritis -- and knowing when to stop.
Here's help weighing the benefits and risks of osteoarthritis drugs called NSAIDs, from aspirin to Celebrex.
You can make simple lifestyle changes to help delay or limit osteoarthritis symptoms. Find out more.
Get the most from your doctor's appointment with these tips on what to do before -- and during -- the appointment.
Learn about this new surgery trend, its benefits, and its risks.
These five steps show you how to look into your surgeon's credentials and experience.
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.
Most Popular Stories
- 6 Sex Mistakes Women Make
- 6 Sex Mistakes Men Make
- Pictures of Bugs and Their Bite Marks
- 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex
- Most Fattening Foods of Summer
- 15 Foods to Help You Lose
- The Truth About Your Poop
- Vinegar May Aid in Fat Loss
- Swine Flu: What Are Symptoms of Swine Flu?
- The Winners for Best Sunscreens Are...


