just saw a commercial for cymbalta. Who would take this poison?

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Cymbalta

Generic Name: duloxetine (du LOX e teen)

Brand Names: Cymbalta

What is Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective

serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Cymbalta

affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause

depression.

Cymbalta is used to treat major depressive disorder and general

anxiety disorder. It is also used to treat pain caused by nerve

damage in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy).

Cymbalta may also be used for purposes other than those listed in

this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Cymbalta?

Do not take Cymbalta together with thioridazine (Mellaril), or a

monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),

phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl,

Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days

after stopping an MAOI before you can take Cymbalta. After you stop

taking Cymbalta, you must wait at least 5 days before you start

taking an MAOI.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an

antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your

doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the

first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms

such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble

sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile,

aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more

depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold

medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures,

other medication for depression or anxiety). They can add to

sleepiness caused by Cymbalta.

Cymbalta can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or

reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you

to be awake and alert.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking

Cymbalta?

Do not use Cymbalta together with thioridazine (Mellaril), or an MAO

inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate),

phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl,

Emsam). Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these

medicines are taken with Cymbalta. You must wait at least 14 days

after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take Cymbalta. After

you stop taking Cymbalta, you must wait at least 5 days before you

start taking an MAOI. Do not use Cymbalta if you are allergic to

duloxetine, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled glaucoma.

Before taking Cymbalta, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any

drugs, or if you have:

liver or kidney disease;

seizures or epilepsy;

bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use

Cymbalta, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during

treatment.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an

antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell

your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal

thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever

your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in

your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular

visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. Cymbalta may be harmful to an unborn baby,

and may cause problems in a newborn baby if the mother takes the

medication late in pregnancy (during the third trimester). Tell your

doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during

treatment. Cymbalta can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing

baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you

are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this

medication.

Do not give Cymbalta to anyone younger than 18 years old without the

advice of a doctor.

How should I take Cymbalta?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not

take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than

recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your

dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.

Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the

directions on your prescription label.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow

the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in

the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the

drug to be released at one time. It may take 4 weeks or longer for

your symptoms to improve. For best results, keep using the medication

as directed. Do not stop using Cymbalta without first talking to your

doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this

medication suddenly. Store Cymbalta at room temperature away from

moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is

almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed

dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to

make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much

of this medication. Symptoms of a Cymbalta overdose may include

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, confusion, hallucinations,

fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Cymbalta?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Cymbalta. Alcohol may increase

the risk of damage to your liver.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold

medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures,

other medication for depression or anxiety). They can add to

sleepiness caused by Cymbalta.

Cymbalta can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or

reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you

to be awake and alert.

Cymbalta side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an

allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling

of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms

such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble

sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile,

aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more

depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side

effects:

nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-

colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

restlessness, overactive reflexes, hallucinations, loss of

coordination, fainting, coma; or

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and fast heartbeat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

constipation;

drowsiness, dizziness, headache;

sleep problems (insomnia);

weight changes;

feeling anxious or nervous, increased sweating;

sore throat; or

decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to

your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is

especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Cymbalta?

Before taking Cymbalta, tell your doctor if you are using any of the

following medicines:

cimetidine (Tagamet);

linezolid (Zyvox);

lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);

St. 's wort;

tramadol (Ultram);

tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);

almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex),

naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);

or

any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine

(Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin),

escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine

(Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor),

paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft),

trimipramine (Surmontil), or venlafaxine (Effexor).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use

Cymbalta, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during

treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Cymbalta. Tell

your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter

medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal

products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a

new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about Cymbalta written for

health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Duloxetine is available with a prescription generically and under the

brand name Cymbalta. Other brand or generic formulations may also be

available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this

medication, especially if it is new to you.

Cymbalta 20 mg - green capsules

Cymbalta 30 mg - white/blue capsules

Cymbalta 60 mg - green/blue capsules

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of

children, never share your medicines with others, and use this

medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by

Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,

but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained

herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled

for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United

States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the

United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated

otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose

patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an

informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare

practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers

viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for,

the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare

practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug

combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug

or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given

patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of

healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all

possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions,

allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about

the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or

pharmacist.

Click here for more information on Cymbalta from the manufacturer.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.07. Revision Date:

06/07/2007 9:07:24 AM.