FAQs—Frequently Asked Questions
- How does Cymbalta work?
- When will Cymbalta begin to work?
- Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
- What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
- How should I take Cymbalta?
- What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
- What happens when I stop taking Cymbalta?
- Can children take Cymbalta?
- What's the latest information on the recent FDA alert about suicidality and antidepressants?
- Given the FDA evaluation, is Cymbalta safe for me to use?
- Does Lilly disclose all trial data?
1. How does Cymbalta work?
There are many theories about the cause of depression. One of the most commonly accepted theories suggests that two naturally occurring chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine, are believed to affect core mood and pain symptoms of depression.These chemical messengers aid communication between many areas of the brain and spinal cord that affect emotional aspects of a person's nature. They are also important in "controlling the volume" of messages about pain between the body and the brain.
Although the way Cymbalta works in people is not fully known, it is believed to increase the activity of two chemicals in the brain, called serotonin and norepinephrine. In the brain, these two chemicals are thought to affect mood. These same chemicals are thought to be associated with regulating and reducing feelings of pain that come from the body.
Back to top
2. When will Cymbalta begin to work?
In clinical studies, many people taking Cymbalta began to feel improvement in their symptoms as early as 1 to 4 weeks after starting Cymbalta. As with any treatment, results may vary from person to person.Back to top
3. Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:- You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
- You are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine)
4. What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Talk with your healthcare provider:- about all of your medical conditions, including liver or kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
- if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition
- if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
- about your alcohol consumption
- before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
- if you are pregnant or nursing
Dizziness or fainting may occur upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta.
If you have questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.
Learn more about Cymbalta by reading the full Prescribing Information.Back to top
5. How should I take Cymbalta?
Take Cymbalta exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.Cymbalta should be taken by mouth. Do not open, break, or chew the capsule; it must be swallowed whole.
Cymbalta can be taken with or without food.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your regularly scheduled dose. Do not take more than the daily amount of Cymbalta that has been prescribed for you.
Remember to refill your prescription before you run out of Cymbalta. Talk with your healthcare provider before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose.
Back to top
6. What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
Like all medicines, Cymbalta can cause side effects. In clinical studies of depression, the most common side effect was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate and usually went away within one to two weeks.Other common side effects included: dry mouth, constipation, fatigue, decreased appetite, sleepiness, and increased sweating.
This is not a complete list of side effects. You can also read the full Prescribing Information for more details on side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or develop any side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
Back to top
7. What happens when I stop taking Cymbalta?
Like other antidepressants, Cymbalta should not be stopped suddenly. Stopping Cymbalta suddenly may result in symptoms including dizziness, nausea, or headache. Talk with your healthcare provider before stopping Cymbalta as he or she may wish to decrease the dose slowly to help you avoid these kinds of symptoms.Back to top
8. Can children take Cymbalta?
Cymbalta has not been studied in children under 18 and is not approved for this age group.Back to top
9. What's the latest information on the recent FDA alert about suicidality and antidepressants?
The FDA issued an alert as part of its ongoing evaluation about antidepressants and suicide. In 2007, the FDA recommended that all antidepressants update their Boxed Warning around increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and teens to include the young adult population as well. Cymbalta is not approved for use in patients under age 18. The FDA is currently evaluating the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adults treated with these medications. Eli Lilly and Company fully supports the FDA's efforts to share timely, accurate and meaningful safety information with patients.However, all patients being treated with any type of antidepressant should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior and thoughts of suicide, especially within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
Back to top
10. Given the FDA evaluation, is Cymbalta safe for me to use?
Your healthcare provider is the best source for questions or concerns. If you are currently taking Cymbalta, do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor first.Cymbalta has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression. According to the FDA website: "An increased rate of suicidality [suicidal thoughts or behavior] was not seen in controlled trials of Cymbalta for treatment of depression or diabetic neuropathic pain (the approved indications for Cymbalta)." However, all patients being treated with any type of antidepressant should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior and thoughts of suicide, especially within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
Back to top
11. Does Lilly disclose all trial data?
Lilly is committed to publicly disclosing medical research results—whether favorable or unfavorable to a Lilly medicine—in an accurate, objective and balanced manner in order for our customers to make more informed decisions about our products.In December 2004, Lilly was widely recognized as the first pharmaceutical company to voluntarily launch a clinical trials registry, where we post the results of all Lilly sponsored registration clinical trials for all of our marketed products dating back to 1994, and all clinical trials for marketed products since December 2004. For more information, please call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).
Back to top
Take that important first step in getting help for depression. Don't wait—depression is an illness that can, and should, be treated.
Talk to a loved one or a friend today about how you are feeling so they may help you in talking with a doctor. In fact, print out your results from the Symptom Body Map and/or the Checklist to help start the conversation with a friend or loved one.
Learn more about:
Taking the First Step
Talking to Friends and Family
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
