Duloxetine is used to treat depression. Duloxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs).
Directions
Duloxetine is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take duloxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
Precautions
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to allow for changes in your dose and to help reduce any side effects.
Duloxetine has not been shown to add to the effects of alcohol. However, use of alcohol is not recommended in patients who are taking duloxetine.
Duloxetine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these adverse effects, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine can cause serious liver problems. If you experience symptoms such as dark urine, general tiredness and weakness, light-colored stools, nausea and vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, or yellow eyes and skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Four weeks of duloxetine may be required before your symptoms improve. It is important to continue duloxetine after symptoms of depression are relieved.
Do not suddenly stop taking your duloxetine. If you have been instructed to stop taking duloxetine, ask your healthcare professional how to slowly decrease the dose. This is to decrease the chance of having discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, vomiting, irritability, nightmares, prickling or tingling feelings.
Do not take duloxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (furazolidone, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) in the past 2 weeks. Do not start taking an MAO inhibitor within 5 days of stopping duloxetine. If you do, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure, severe convulsions, or the serotonin syndrome.
For diabetic patients:
- This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.
Duloxetine may cause some people to become drowsy or have blurred vision. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or able to see clearly.
Side Effects
Duloxetine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- heartburn
- decreased appetite
- dry mouth
- cough
- sweating or night sweats
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- extreme tiredness
- weakness
- muscle pain or cramps
- changes in sexual desire or ability
- runny nose
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them call your doctor immediately:
- shaking hands that you cannot control
- rash
- difficult, painful, or very frequent urination
- fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- itching
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- dark colored urine
- flu-like symptoms
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.
Storage
Store duloxetine at room temperature away from heat and light. Always keep duloxetine away from children
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