Approximately 6 million American adults over the age of 18 suffer from panic disorder, the National Institutes of Health states. Panic disorder is different from normal stress or experiencing anxiety in certain situations. Panic disorder can be debilitating and affect an individual's daily functioning. Panic disorder is treated with therapy and medications. In February 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication Cymbalta for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by episodes of extreme fear and terror accompanied by unpleasant physical sensations such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness and abdominal pain. Panic attacks can come on suddenly and without warning and last anywhere from two to 20 minutes. The intense symptoms of panic attacks often cause many individuals to seek medical help in the emergency department because they feel like they are having a heart attack or dying from a life-threatening illness. In severe cases, panic disorder can lead to agoraphobia, a condition which leaves individuals house-bound because they fear having panic attacks in public places.
Cymbalta: Mechanism of Action
The exact mechanism of Cymbalta is not known, says Drugs.com. However, Cymbalta is known to affect serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters in the brain that are thought to regulate mood and feelings of well-being. Cymbalta stops serotonin and norepinephrine from being taken up by the nerve cells in the brain, which increases the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine and decreases feelings of anxiety and panic.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Cymbalta include nausea, gas, drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, joint pain, impotence, difficulty reaching orgasm, and dry mouth, Drug.com states. Common side effects are not life-threatening, don't usually require medical treatment, and may go away as an individual's body adjusts to the medication. Serious side effects of Cymbalta that require immediate medical treatment are painful or difficult urination, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, memory problems, hallucinations, severe headache, tremor or stiff muscles.
Warnings
Cymbalta can causes worsening of symptoms in some individuals. An individual taking Cymbalta should call his doctor if he experiences increased panic attacks, increased anxiety, severe mood changes, irritability and aggression. In children and young adults, Cymbalta can increase suicidal thinking and behavior. Children and individuals under the age of 24 should be monitored for signs of increased suicidal thinking while taking Cymbalta.
Dosing Information
For the treatment of anxiety disorders, the Mayo Clinic states the Cymbalta should be started at 60 mg once a day; however, some patients start at 30 mg once a day and stay at that dose for a week before increasing the dose to 60 mg once a day. Doses of Cymbalta can be increased to 120 mg once a day.
