Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

The generic name for Cymbalta is duloxetine.

Cymbalta is not known for being addictive or habit-forming. However, stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal-like symptoms, sometimes called discontinuation syndrome. According to a 2024 study, one in six to seven patients (~15%) who abruptly discontinue their medication experience discontinuation symptoms. Always follow your psychiatric provider’s directions on when to stop taking medications or change dosages.

Not without the approval of your prescribing psychiatric clinician. Among other things, Cymbalta may interact negatively with other antidepressants, migraine medications, pain relievers, blood thinners, or herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wort. Dangerous combinations can increase the risk of side effects, including serotonin syndrome.

Cymbalta is an SNRI, which works on serotonin and norepinephrine. SSRIs affect only serotonin. Cymbalta may also address chronic pain conditions in addition to mood and anxiety disorders.

Cymbalta is known for its relatively low side effect profile for long-term use when monitored by a psychiatric clinician. Regular follow-ups are important to monitor progress, side effects, and stability.

Yes. Regular follow-ups help your clinician track how well the medication is working, watch for side effects, and adjust your dose if needed.

The cost of Cymbalta varies depending on whether the prescription is written for the brand name or the generic version, duloxetine. As of publication date:

• Brand-name Cymbalta is priced around $281.89 for 30 capsules of 30 mg or 60 mg, and about $496.69 for 60 capsules of 20 mg.
• Generic duloxetine is priced at approximately $9.31 for 30 capsules of 30 mg, $11.56 for 60 capsules of 20 mg, $11.75 for 30 capsules of 60 mg, and $70.95 for 30 capsules of 40 mg.

If you have insurance, your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your supporting diagnosis and plan type (e.g., commercial, Medicare, Medicaid) and may include a copay or coinsurance.

Weight gain may occur with Cymbalta, though it is not universal. Some individuals may instead experience weight loss over time. Changes in appetite, metabolism, and physical activity may influence weight changes while taking this medication.

Cymbalta may cause tiredness or sleepiness in some individuals, while others may feel more alert. If you notice tiredness, speak with your clinician about the timing of your dose or alternative options.

Yes. Cymbalta is FDA-approved for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. It also has a reputation for being prescribed off-label for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Try to avoid alcohol while on Cymbalta. Alcohol may worsen side effects like drowsiness or liver strain, and may reduce medication effectiveness. Cymbalta may make alcohol feel more intoxicating than usual.

If stopped suddenly, withdrawal effects may include dizziness, nausea, irritability, or flu-like feelings. According to a 2024 study, one in six to seven patients (~15%) who abruptly discontinue their medication experience discontinuation symptoms. Always follow your psychiatric provider’s directions on when to stop taking medications or change dosages.

Cymbalta, like many antidepressants, may cause sexual side effects in some individuals. Not everyone experiences these effects, and they can vary in severity. On average, it is a little less likely than SSRI medication to have sexual side effects. If sexual side effects occur, discuss them with your prescribing clinician.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an SNRI that works on serotonin and norepinephrine. It is FDA-approved for depression, anxiety, and several pain-related conditions. Wellbutrin (bupropion) primarily affects dopamine and norepinephrine and is FDA-approved for depression and smoking cessation, and is not known to treat anxiety or pain-related conditions. Cymbalta may be more commonly prescribed when mood symptoms occur with chronic pain, while Wellbutrin may be more commonly prescribed for individuals experiencing fatigue or sexual side effects with other antidepressants.

Cymbalta and Savella (milnacipran) are both SNRIs approved for fibromyalgia. Cymbalta also has FDA approvals for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic neuropathic pain, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Savella is only approved in the United States for fibromyalgia, though it has antidepressant approvals in some other countries. Cymbalta is often prescribed when both mood and pain symptoms are present, while Savella is typically prescribed for pain treatment.

Cymbalta (SNRI) affects serotonin and norepinephrine, while Lexapro (escitalopram) is an SSRI that affects only serotonin. Cymbalta has multiple FDA approvals for depression, anxiety, and chronic pain conditions. Lexapro is FDA-approved for depression and generalized anxiety disorder and may have slightly higher risk of fatigue. Cymbalta may be prescribed when pain is a significant symptom, while Lexapro is often prescribed when treatment is focused on mood and/or anxiety alone.

Both Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are SNRIs. Effexor is FDA-approved for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Cymbalta treats depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic pain. Effexor is often viewed as more stimulating and may increase blood pressure at higher doses, while Cymbalta is more frequently prescribed when pain relief is an important part of treatment. Both may have withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly, so only stop Cymbalta or Effexor treatments as and when recommended by your psychiatric clinician.

Cymbalta is an SNRI, while Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI. Zoloft is FDA-approved for depression, several anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD. Cymbalta is FDA-approved for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and multiple pain conditions. Zoloft is often prescribed when anxiety or obsessive symptoms are more prominent, while Cymbalta is more commonly prescribed when mood and chronic pain occur together.

Cymbalta and Prozac (fluoxetine) are both antidepressants but belong to different classes. Cymbalta is an SNRI, while Prozac is an SSRI. Cymbalta has approvals for mood, anxiety, and pain conditions, while Prozac is FDA-approved for depression, OCD, bulimia, and panic disorder. Prozac has a longer half-life, which means withdrawal symptoms tend to be less likely if a dose is missed. Cymbalta is often prescribed when pain symptoms are present alongside depression or anxiety.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an SNRI antidepressant that also relieves certain types of nerve and muscle pain. Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain medication. Both are FDA-approved for fibromyalgia, but Cymbalta also treats depression and anxiety, while Lyrica does not. Lyrica may cause side effects such as swelling, dizziness, and weight gain, while Cymbalta may cause nausea, fatigue, or sexual side effects. Sometimes, clinicians may prescribe both medications together for difficult-to-manage pain.

Cymbalta is an SNRI, while Celexa (citalopram) is an SSRI. Cymbalta treats depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and chronic pain conditions. Celexa is FDA-approved only for depression but is sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety. Both are generally viewed as tolerable for long-term use, while Cymbalta is more likely to be prescribed when pain symptoms are present. Both medications may cause withdrawal symptoms if discontinued abruptly, so only stop Cymbalta or Celexa treatments as and when recommended by your psychiatric clinician.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) are both SNRIs and act in similar ways. Cymbalta has FDA approvals for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and several pain conditions. Pristiq is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder only, though it is sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety. Cymbalta is considered to have a broader range of uses, while Pristiq is usually prescribed for depression when an SNRI is preferred. Side effects for both may include nausea, insomnia, and sweating.

Cymbalta is an SNRI antidepressant used to treat depression, anxiety, and nerve-related pain. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant used primarily for seizures and nerve pain. Cymbalta may also address mood disorders, while Gabapentin does not. Gabapentin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and swelling, while Cymbalta may cause nausea, fatigue, or sexual side effects. In some cases, clinicians may prescribe both together when nerve pain is difficult to manage with one medication alone.