Duloxetine
Description
Duloxetine is an antidepressant which is used to treat the symptoms of depression and other pain disorders. It should be used with caution in adults and children due to the risk of the suicidal thoughts. This medicine is not recommended in patients with known history of allergy.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Duloxetine
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Body pain
- Joint pain
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Loose stools
- Shaking of hands or feet
- Heartburn
Uses of Duloxetine
What is it prescribed for?
- Major depressive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
- Fibromyalgia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 6 to 10 hours.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Duloxetine may increase the risk of liver injury if taken with alcohol. Avoid consumption of alcohol. Monitoring of liver enzymes is necessary. Any symptoms of abdominal pain, yellow discolouration of skin and eyes should be reported to the doctor.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is known to excreted through the breast milk. It is not recommended for breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. However, monitoring of side effects like drowsiness, weight gain is necessary.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to Duloxetine.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Duloxetine is not recommended in the patients for at least 14 days after discontinuation of monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is known to excreted through the breast milk. It is not recommended for breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. However, monitoring of side effects like drowsiness, weight gain is necessary.
General warnings
Suicidal thoughts
This medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in the children, adolescents and young adults with the major depressive disorder or other psychiatric disorder. Patient's caretakers should be educated about the symptoms of depression. Any symptoms of change in the behavior should be reported to the doctor.
Orthostatic Hypotension and fall
This medicine is known to cause orthostatic hypotension especially during the 1st week of the treatment. This effect can increase the risk of fall in the elderly population. Any symptoms of dizziness, unsteady walking should be reported to the doctor.
Abnormal bleeding
This medicine may increase the risk of bleeding especially in the patients receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and warfarin. Monitoring of blood cells count should be performed. Any symptoms of abnormal bleeding should be reported to the doctor.
Low sodium levels
This medicine is known to lower the sodium levels in the body. This risk is more in the elderly population and in the patients receiving diuretics. Monitoring of sodium levels should be performed. Any symptoms of unsteadiness, headache, difficulty in concentration should be reported to the doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms
This medicine should not be discontinued abruptly. It may cause withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, sleep disturbances and anxiety. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Skin reactions
This medicine is known to cause rare but serious skin reactions like erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Discontinue the treatment and inform the doctor if symptoms like itching, peeling skin, rashes appear.
Impaired liver function
This medicine is known to cause an increase in the liver enzymes and severe liver injuries. Discontinue the treatment if any signs and symptoms like increased liver enzymes, abdominal pain appear.
Impaired kidney function
This medicine should be used with caution in the patients with mild to moderate kidney injury. It is not recommended in the patients with the severe kidney injury (CrCl less than 30 ml/min).
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose should be skipped.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Consumption of alcohol with Duloxetine may increase the risk of liver injury.
Instructions
Duloxetine may increase the risk of liver injury if taken with alcohol. Avoid consumption of alcohol. Monitoring of liver enzymes is necessary. Any symptoms of abdominal pain, yellow discolouration of skin and eyes should be reported to the doctor.
Interaction with Medicine
Ciprofloxacin
Aspirin
Diuretics
Dextromethorphan
Disease interactions
Diabetes
Duloxetine should be used with caution in the patients with diabetes mellitus due to the alteration in the blood glucose levels. Monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary. Any signs and symptoms like increased blood glucose levels, increased urination should be reported to the doctor.
Glaucoma
Duloxetine should be used with caution in the patients with glaucoma due to the increase in the fluid pressure in the eye. Inform the doctor if you have any history of eye disorder. Suitable dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Duloxetine as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. The treatment should be started at lower doses and increase the dose gradually based on the response. Do not stop taking this medicine without informing your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by increasing the levels of certain chemical substances in the brain and thus helps in relieving the depressive symptoms.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 11 April 2017]. Available from:
Duloxetine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 11 April 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Duloxetine hydrochloride capsule, delayed release [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 11 April 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 11 April 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 11 April 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
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