Duloxetine, brand name Cymbalta, is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved to treat depression, general anxiety disorder, diabetic nerve pain and fibromyalgia. It has numerous side effects and warnings that patients should be aware of before starting treatment.
Gastrointenstinal
According to medlineplus.com, gastrointestinal side effects of duloxetine mainly include nausea, constipation, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
Nervous System Effects
Dizziness, headache, dry mouth, weakness, tremors and night sweats are all common side effects associated with duloxetine use.
Additional Side Effects
Duloxetine side effects also include drowsiness, muscle pain and cramps, decreased appetite, increased urine, difficulty urinating and changes in sexual function.
Serious Side Effects
If patients experience any of these serious side effects, they should call their doctors immediately: bruising or bleeding, pain in the upper right part of the stomach or swelling of the abdomen, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness or weakness, confusion, flu-like symptoms, fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, severe muscle stiffness, blurred vision, fever, blisters or peeling skin, rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs and hoarseness.
Warning
The FDA issued a black-box warning for duloxetine and related drugs regarding the potential for patients aged 18 to 24 to develop suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors. Patients should be watched closely for changes in mood.
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