People who suffer from general anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia or diabetic nerve pain often find a reduction in their symptoms while taking the medication Cymbalta. Although this antidepressant medication proves a beneficial treatment option for many, it is not for everyone. Like most medications, Cymbalta may produce unpleasant or even dangerous side effects for some people. Those interested in Cymbalta should talk to their physician about these potential side effects before taking the medication.
Common Side Effects
Prescribing information from Cymbalta manufacturer Lilly notes that the most common side effects of this medication include loss of appetite, excessive perspiration, sleepiness, constipation, dry mouth and nausea. More than 5 percent of the people taking Cymbalta during clinical studies experienced these side effects. These side effects occurred twice as often as those who took placebo pills.
Mental Side Effects
Adolescents and those younger than 24 years old could have mood or behavioral changes, including suicidal thoughts, when taking antidepressant medications like Cymbalta. Increased irritability, hostility, aggression or a worsening of depression or anxiety symptoms are some mental changes that may occur. Doctors, family members, friends and caregivers should monitor young people taking Cymbalta carefully for any changes of mental state or behavior. Any behavior changes, particularly suicidal thoughts or comments, should be reported to a doctor or mental health professional immediately.
Allergic Reaction
Some people taking Cymbalta experience a severe allergic reaction to the medication, even those who have never had a previous medication allergy. Signs of an allergic reaction include swelling, hives and difficulty breathing. These signs may appear within minutes or several hours after taking Cymbalta. Patients who may be having an allergic reaction to the medication should seek immediate medical attention.
Serious Side Effects
Some side effects may indicate the development of serious medical conditions. Difficulty breathing, fainting, loss of coordination, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, diarrhea, unsteady heartbeat, rigid muscles, memory problems, nosebleeds, tarry or bloody stool, difficult or painful urination, easy bruising or bleeding and seizures are some of the potentially serious side effects that may occur while taking Cymbalta, according to Drugs.com. Patients having these serious side effects need prompt medical attention.
Considerations
Taking other medications while taking Cymbalta can produce additional and sometimes dangerous side effects. Depending upon the specific situation, some medications may increase the severity of the side effects of Cymbalta or Cymbalta may increase the severity of the side effects of the other medication. New or different side effects may also occur. Medications that are known to react negatively with Cymbalta include zolmitriptan, sumatriptan, rizatriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, almotripan, tryptophan, tramadol, lithium, linezolid, cimetidine, piroxicam, indomethacin, etodolac piroxicam, diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, blood thinners, diuretics, other antidepressant medications and any MAO inhibitor medication. To avoid potentially serious drug interactions and side effects, patients should always report all medication and supplements to a doctor before using Cymbalta.
Misconceptions
Some patients taking Cymbalta suddenly stop taking the medication when they experience unpleasant side effects, but doing so may cause withdrawal side effects. Withdrawal side effects can include dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headaches, unpleasant skin sensations, nightmares or difficulty sleeping or irritability. Instead of discontinuing Cymbalta suddenly, people should gradually decreasing the use of the medication over time under the guidance of a doctor to avoid these withdrawal effects.
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