Cymbalta is the trade name for doloxetine -- a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor -- a prescription medication used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Learning how this medication works can help you to make informed decisions about foods and drinks you consume and other medications you take. Always consult your physician or pharmacist prior to taking any new medications or changing your diet while taking Cymbalta.
Cymbalta Administration
Cymbalta is typically prescribed to be administered once daily with or without food. Although you can take your Cymbalta at any time, some people prefer to take their Cymbalta at bedtime because it has the potential to cause drowsiness. Regardless of what time you choose to take your Cymbalta, it is important that you administer it at the same time each day to ensure that you maintain stable levels of the medication in your system.
Cymbalta and Grapefruit Interactions
Grapefruit and grapefruit products such as grapefruit juice act as cytochrome P-450 enzyme inhibitors. These enzymes are essential to the proper breakdown of SNRIs, such as Cymbalta, in the liver. When these enzymes are inhibited, your Cymbalta is not metabolized by the liver and is therefore left in the bloodstream. In extreme cases, the levels of Cymbalta can rise to toxic levels in the bloodstream. Therefore, do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit products while taking Cymbalta.
Cymbalta and Other Medications
You should be aware that Cymbalta has negative interactions with some other drugs. Therefore, you should consult your physician prior to adding any medications -- over-the-counter or prescription -- to your regimen. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, anticoagulants and proton pump inhibitors are some prescription medications that your doctor may advise you to avoid. St. John's wort and tryptophan are common over-the-counter supplements that generally should not be taken with Cymbalta.
Considerations
Avoiding all grapefruit products while taking Cymbalta is essential to your overall health and to the effectiveness of your medication. Therefore, you should carefully read all nutrition labels of foods which you are not familiar with. Grapefruit may be found in some foods you may not expect. For example, fruit punch may contain some grapefruit juice and should therefore be avoided.
References
- "Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses"; Judi Deglin, et al.; 2010
- "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology"; Amy Morrison Karch; 2009
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