Approximately 6.8 million adults in the United States have generalized anxiety disorder. This disorder consists of excessive anxiety and worry, which causes significant impairment in normal functioning. Cymbalta, the brand name of the medication duloxetine, is an antidepressant medication used to treat the disorder.
Usage
Cymbalta treats conditions other than generalized anxiety disorder, and it is important to follow the instructions provided by a doctor or mental health professional when taking the medication. People should take the medicine at the same time every day and avoid breaking or chewing delayed-release capsules. For most patients with generalized anxiety disorder, the starting dose is 60 mg administered once daily, but some patients may start at 30 mg for a week until they adjust to the medication, according to the product information sheet for Cymbalta. A doctor may adjust the dosage throughout the treatment process as needed. It can take four weeks or longer before people notice their anxiety symptoms lessening while on Cymbalta. Drugs.com also notes that people should not stop taking the medication suddenly, as this may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Side Effects
The product information sheet for Cymbalta lists the most common side effects as nausea, dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness, excessive sweating and decreased appetite. Other common side effects include joint or muscle pain, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, gas, constipation, weight changes, sleep problems and sexual dysfunction.
Although rare, serious side effects can also occur when taking Cymbalta. People experiencing stomach pain, fever, dark urine, jaundice, unusual colored stools, difficult urination, nosebleeds, easy bleeding or bruising, stiff muscles, vomiting, uneven or fast heartbeats, tremors, hallucinations, weakness, fainting, seizures or difficulty breathing should seek medical attention immediately, warns Drugs.com
Considerations
People with certain medical histories or conditions need to consider additional complications or risks involved with taking Cymbalta. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or anyone with a history of drug abuse, suicidal thoughts, liver or kidney disease, glaucoma, bipolar disorder, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder or seizures or epilepsy should talk about their situations with a doctor before taking Cymbalta. People previously taking a MAO Inhibitor medication or the medication thioridazine need to wait until these medications clear their system before taking Cymbalta, as dangerous or even fatal interactions can occur between these medications and Cymbalta. In addition, people should also avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness while on Cymbalta.
Misconception
Although Cymbalta often treats the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, this is not the medication's only use. It also may treat symptoms of depression, fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. The dosages and risk factors of using Cymbalta for these conditions may be different than for generalized anxiety disorder.
Warning
Cymbalta increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially in adolescents and young adults. People considering the use of Cymbalta should balance this risk with the clinical need for the medication. Doctors should closely monitor all patients for clinical worsening, suicidal thoughts or tendencies or unusual behavior while taking Cymbalta. However, family members and friends of people taking Cymbalta should watch for unusual behavior and report any changes to a doctor or mental health professional.
