The medication duloxetine, which is also known as Cymbalta, is a drug that works to increase the amount of the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, according to MayoClinic.com. Cymbalta is used to treat several diseases including mental conditions and pain disorders. A physician must prescribe this medication and closely monitor its use to avoid side effects.
Function
As a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, Cymbalta works by raising the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, according to PubMed Health. These substances are chemicals normally present in the brain and work to manage a person's mental balance; they also interfere with pain signals in the brain.
Indication: Fibromyalgia
Cymbalta can treat patients with the condition fibromyalgia; the FDA approved Cymbalta for this indication in 2008, according to MedicalNewsToday.com. Fibromyagia is a chronic disorder with the symptoms of increased sensitivity to pain, tiredness and muscle stiffness, according to PubMed Health. Although the exact mechanism of Cymbalta is not fully understood, the increase in the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine probably lowers the amount of pain felt in these patients.
Other Indications
Cymbalta can also be used in other conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, depression and nerve damage caused by diabetes, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder are excessive anxiety and worry that interfere with daily activities for more than six months, according to DailyMed. Depression involves a depressed mood lasting at least two weeks that interferes with functioning. The nerve damage caused by diabetes can be painful or may involve numbness and tingling. All of these conditions may improve with the use of Cymbalta.
Side Effects
Side effects of Cymbalta include nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, insomnia and decreased appetite, according to the DailyMed website. These side effects may improve over time, but if these symptoms cause problems, the physician should be informed, according to the MayoClinic.com. However, there are some side effects that may be more serious and require more immediate contact with a physician. Patients who take Cymbalta may develop blurred or decreased vision, abdominal pain, liver problems, rash or urinary changes; these symptoms should be reported to the physician immediately, according to MayoClinic.com.
Important Warnings
While on antidepressant medications, some patients--especially teens and young adults--may develop suicidal thoughts, according to PubMed Health. Teens and young adults who are taking antidepressant medications for depression are more likely to develop these types of thoughts than those with depression who do not take antidepressants. Patients or family members should seek immediately medical help if thoughts of suicide arise. Cymbalta comes with a warning concerning this occurrence, and the physician will discuss this risk with the patient before prescribing the medication.
