Daily Medication Pearl: Duloxetine Hydrochloride (Cymbalta)

Author(s):

Saro Arakelians, PharmD

Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor indicated for major depressive disorder and anxiety, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain related to the muscles and bones.

Medication Pearl of the Day: Duloxetine Hydrochloride (Cymbalta)

Indication: Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor indicated for major depressive disorder and anxiety, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain related to the muscles and bones.

Insight:

Dosing: May vary based on the indication from 40 to 120 mg per day.
Dosage forms: 20 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg capsules.
Adverse events: Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice the incidence of placebo patients): nausea, dry mouth, somnolence, fatigue, constipation, decreased appetite, and hyperhidrosis.
Mechanism of action: Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory, and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the central nervous system.

Source: Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) capsules (fda.gov)