Patent: Patent expired
Producer: docpharm® Arzneimittelvertrieb GmbH & Co. KGaA
Dosage: 30mg, 60mg
Dosage form: capsule
Unit of measurement: mg
Active ingredient:
Application areas:
Depressions, Generalised anxiety disorder
Drug class:
Onset of action:
Duration of action:
Bioavailability: 0-50%
ATC-Code: N06AX21
Protein binding: ≥ 90%
Metabolism: Liver
Half-life: 12 hours
Excretion: Urine
CAS number: 116539-59-4
PubChem-CID: 60835
Drug Bank: DB00476
ChemSpider: 54822
UNII: O5TNM5N07U
KEGG: D07880
ChEBI: CHEBI:36795
ChEMBL: ChEMBL1175
ECHA-InfoCard: 100.116.825
Formula: C18H19NOS
Molar mass: 297,42 g·mol−1
The active substance in Cymbalta is called duloxetine. This drug works by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin and by inactivating transmitters. Duloxetine is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract. Oral bioavailability is 32%-80%. The maximum plasma level is reached after about 6 hours.
The plasma half-life of duloxetine and its metabolites is 12 hours. Duloxetine is mainly excreted by the kidneys and partly in the faeces.
Cymbalta is usually taken once a day, preferably at the same times, and with or without food. Usually, patients start their treatment on a low dose. The dose is slowly increased over several weeks. It usually ranges from 30 mg to 120 mg. Only your doctor can determine the right dose for you.
The capsule should be swallowed whole.
For depression and pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, the dose of 60 mg once a day is usually prescribed by the doctor.
For the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, the starting dose is 30 mg daily, increasing gradually to 60 mg.
Possible interactions with other drugs
Beware of kidney problems
Hypersensitivity to the ingredients
Liver diseases
Kidney diseases
Simultaneous administration with MAO inhibitors
Concomitant use with certain drugs
This is about fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and other duloxetine-containing drugs.
Not safe
Alcohol consumption should be avoided
You can make up for the missed application during the day and continue to use the dose prescribed by your doctor as usual on the following day.
If you suspect an overdose, contact a doctor immediately.
There is a risk of significant interactions. Therefore, medical supervision is recommended.
Allergic reaction
Suicidal thoughts
Food does not affect the effects of the drug.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
What is Cymbalta?
Can Cymbalta cause weight loss or gain?
How long does the withdrawal symptom last after stopping Cymbalta?
How long does it take for Cymbalta to work?
What does the price of Cymbalta depend on?
Cymbalta 60 mg price vs Cymbalta 30 mg price
Cymbalta is a prescription antidepressant. It contains the active substance duloxetine, which belongs to the group of selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
Cymbalta is approved by the EMA to treat a variety of conditions. It is suitable for adults suffering from depressive episodes; generalized anxiety disorder or pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.
It is also widely applied in pediatrics. This antidepressant can be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder in children over the age of 7 and fibromyalgia in children over the age of 13.
Compared to other drugs from the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor group, Cymbalta does not have a major impact on blood pressure changes. However, it may take several weeks before you feel the full effect of the medicine on your mood.
Cymbalta is available as enteric-coated hard capsules. The capsules are available in 2 strengths: 30 milligrams and 60 milligrams. Cymbalta is also available as a generic drug called duloxetine.
The price of Cymbalta depends on several factors. The manufacturer plays a role here. Since Cymbalta is generic today, it costs less than the brand name. The price is related to the dosage and package size. The more tablets in a pack, the lower the price.
Table: Cymbalta price 30 mg vs 60 mg
pack size | Cymbalta 30 mg price | Cymbalta 60 mg price |
28 tablets | from €22.36 | from €22.99 |
98 tablets | from €31.42 | from €43.28 |
How long this or that side effect of Cymbalta lasts depends on the side effect itself. Also, your risk of certain side effects may be higher when you first start taking the drug. For example, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior may be highest in the first few months after taking Cymbalta or after a dose change. However, these thoughts or behaviors can occur at any time while you are taking Cymbalta.
The risk of orthostatic hypotension is also highest in the first week after taking Cymbalta. Some side effects may go away once the drug is stopped. The other side effects like liver failure may not go away after stopping the drug. If you have the questions about the risk of Cymbalta side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking Cymbalta is associated with the risk of liver damage. And drinking alcohol while on this intake can increase this risk. Therefore, alcohol consumption should be avoided or limited during treatment with Cymbalta.
Consult your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms as these may be symptoms of liver damage:
Because of drug interactions, caution should be exercised when combining Cymbalta with other drugs.
Cymbalta should not be taken at the same time as or within 2 weeks of taking MAOIs. These include tranylcypromine (Jatrosom), rasagiline (Azilect), and selegiline (Movergan, Antiparkin).
Such drugs as cimetidine (CimLich), ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan), fluoxetine (Prozac, Generic Fluoxetine), fluvoxamine (Fevarin, Luvox), paroxetine (Allenopar, Paroxalone) may increase plasma levels and affect the effects of duloxetine.
Rarely, there is an increased risk of serotonin syndrome when Cymbalta is used concomitantly with other medicines that increase serotonin. Such drugs include other antidepressants, anti-migraine drugs from the triptan group (e.g. Imigran) and some painkillers (e.g. Tramadol, Ultram), antibiotic Zyvoxide and amphetamines.
Co-administration with other drugs that can cause bleeding (e.g. ibuprofen, warfarin and aspirin) increases the effects of these drugs.
Abrupt discontinuation of treatment with Cymblta must be avoided as this can trigger pronounced discontinuation phenomena (anxiety, tinnitus, agitation, confusion). Discontinuation should generally be gradual (over 2 weeks).
I`ve been taking Cymbalta since 2016, it replaces venlafaxine. First I took 90 mg, 1 year ago my depression got worse and since then I`ve had the maximum dose (120 mg), I hope to be able to lower it. I like Cymbalta, I`ve adapted well. I also use topiramate from time to time.
06.05.2022
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