Cymbalta is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor drug. It is used for the treatment of depression, anxiety and also for pain. This drug is also referred to as Duloxetine. The mechanism of action of the drug is that it reduces the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine that is driven back into the nerve cells, thus decreasing the reuptake of the neurotransmitters into the nerves. This drug changes the way chemicals are released and taken up in the synapse of nerves. Since neurotransmitter reuptake plays a significant role in the removal of neurotransmitters from and stopping their influence on adjacent nerves, this leads to the accumulation of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, which makes the brain function properly. Researchers believe that a change in balance in the level of neurotransmitters might be the reason behind depression and other psychiatric problems. It has been observed that this drug can also be used for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Cymbalta is approved by the Food and Drug Association of America ( FDA)
What are the uses of Cymbalta?
This drug is beneficial for the treatment of a lot of psychiatric disorders, and also some non-psychiatric disorders. For example, this drug is essential for the treatment of the major depressive disorder, anxiety cases, especially when it’s less than half a year, long-term musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and so on. This drug can be used by patients affected by diseases that cause them discomfort and pain. Examples of such condition include rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Cymbalta has been identified as an alternative for the treatment of osteoarthritis, even better than the first line drugs such Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are also useful. However, they have a lot of side effects, and cannot be used by some people. For example, peptic ulcer patients cannot use this drug, because NSAIDS worsen peptic ulcer. Also, it has been proved that Cymbalta is more efficient than morphine. Morphine causes constipation. Below are the uses of Cymbalta;
- It’s used for treating depression and other depressive disorders: This drug was FDA approved in the year 2004. However, it was made available for purchase in 2013. This medication isn’t the first line drug for treating depression, because of its side effects, but it’s beneficial. It’s important to know that some patients did not react to the drug when they used it. Only a few patients responded to the drug, which mostly Below are some of the signs and symptoms you’d notice when a person is affected by depression or the depressive syndrome
- Poor mood: Depression makes people feel hopeless, even when there is nothing to handle hopeless about. They feel a sense of emptiness that cannot be explained. This would be seen in their approach to life.
- They tend to withdraw from social interactions: People affected by depression or the depressive syndrome prefer to be by themselves. They do not like to partake in social activities. The reason behind this cannot be explained. They just have a strong feeling of helplessness.
- Suicidal thoughts: People affected by severe depression often believe that death might be the only solution and escape to their problem. This is why they attempt to kill themselves. You should get help if you notice any of these symptoms, and if you know a friend or relative affected by this disease, you must help them get help.
- It’s used for treating anxiety disorders: Cymbalta is a first line drug for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders in Canada. According to studies, this drug has been proven to be better than placebos in the treatment of anxiety.
- For treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy: This drug was approved as a medication for treating pains associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as a result of the outcomes of clinical trials. The neuropathy associated with diabetes is as a result of the high concentration of glucose in the blood. The vast amount of glucose in the blood leads to an alteration in the way the nerve functions. The high glucose in the blood impairs the functions of the nerves, especially in the extremities, such as the legs, arms, feet, arms, and Also, patients also experience pain in other parts of the body, such as in the urinary system, gastrointestinal system, and even in the eyes. It’s important to know that about half of patients who used the Cymbalta drug had a reduction in the pain associated with diabetes.
- For the management of long-term pain and fibromyalgia: A review of Cymbalta has shown that it’s effective in the treatment of fatigue and pain. The drug was approved in June 2008 by the Food and Drug Administration, for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. This drug is also an alternative for the treatment of osteoarthritis and long-term pain associated with the vertebrae and back. The drug was also approved for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
- Stress urinary incontinence: This drug was not approved for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence by the American Food and Drug Association. It has been reported that it might cause liver toxicity, and even trigger suicidal thoughts in people. Although it got approval for treating urinary incontinence in the United Kingdom.
What are the contraindications of Cymbalta?
The following contraindications have been provided by the manufacturer;
- Hypersensitivity reactions: This drug is not to be used by patients that have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to Cymbalta or any of its ingredients.
- Central nervous system medications: This drug should be used with great care and caution when combined with other drugs that act on the central nervous system, and medications that have a similar mechanism of action.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: This drug must not be used by patients on monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs.
What Are The Side Effects Of Cymbalta?
This drug has a lot of adverse side effects. However, the most common ones include dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and headache.
- Suicidality: Anti-depressants tend to increase the risk of suicide in young people, especially those below the age of twenty-five. Cymbalta is not an exception to this.
- Discontinuation syndrome: There have been reported cases of when patients started presenting with some symptoms such as dizziness, agitation and so on when they discontinued the use of the drug. Patients are advised not to stop using the drug at once, but to reduce to dosage gradually until they finally stop.
References
Alipour, A. (2013). STEPS for cost-effective prescribing of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in major depressive disorder: Focus on venlafaxine (Effexor®) versus duloxetine (Cymbalta®). Mental Health Clinician, 3(4), pp.205-210.
Duloxetine overdose. (2017). Reactions Weekly, 1642(1), pp.119-119.
FDA Approves Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia. (2008). Topics in Pain Management, 24(2), p.12.
The US Cymbalta [duloxetine] label will be updated with additional information on hepatotoxicity, (2005). Reactions Weekly, &NA;(1074), p.3.
