What is the difference between cymbalta and duloxetine

More than 16 million American adults have major depressive disorder also called MDD, or depression , and nearly 7 million adults have generalized anxiety disorder GAD. Cymbalta duloxetine and Prozac fluoxetine are two popular antidepressant medications prescribed for depression and several other conditions. Medication use with Cymbalta or Prozac is often combined with psychotherapy with a psychologist or doctor of psychiatry. Cymbalta is classified in a group of medications called SNRIs serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

They work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Prozac is part of a group of drugs called SSRIs selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Cymbalta duloxetine is an SNRI medication. It is available in both brand and generic. Cymbalta is only available in capsule form. The dosage varies, but a typical dose is 60 mg per day. Cymbalta is used in adults but may be used in younger ages for certain conditions see chart.

Prozac fluoxetine is an SSRI medication. Prozac is available in tablet form, capsule form, and as an oral solution. Although the dosage varies, a typical dose is 20 mg once a day. Prozac may be used in adults for all of the indications listed in the chart below. Prozac can also be used in children over 8 years old for depression or over 7 years old for OCD. Cymbalta is indicated for major depressive disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults.

It can also be used for generalized anxiety disorder in adults as well as children ages 7 years and older and for fibromyalgia in adults and adolescents 13 years and older.

Cymbalta is not approved for use in children for depression, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, or chronic musculoskeletal pain. Prozac is indicated for major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD in children, adolescents, and adults. Prozac can also treat bulimia nervosa, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and panic disorder. Cymbalta belongs to a class of medications known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs.

It affects your levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine. SSRIs, on the other hand, only affect your serotonin levels. Controlled substances are medications that could cause either physical or mental dependence. With dependence , your body needs the drug to feel normal. The Drug Enforcement Administration DEA sets limits on who can make, possess, and use medications that are controlled substances.

However, Cymbalta could cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Addiction is different from dependence. Over time, someone with addiction needs more and more of a drug to feel its effects. This is because the drug affects your central nervous system CNS. If you have questions or concerns about your risk for dependence with Cymbalta, talk with your doctor. Cymbalta is approved to treat mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Because it affects your mood, some people report feeling calm or as if their mood is boosted while taking the drug.

If you have questions about how Cymbalta may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. This was one of the more common side effects of the drug in clinical studies. In the studies:. If you have questions about side effects from Cymbalta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You may wonder how Cymbalta compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Cymbalta and Lexapro are alike and different. Lexapro contains the active drug escitalopram.

Lexapro belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs. Both types of drugs are commonly used as antidepressants.

Cymbalta comes as capsule that you take by mouth. Cymbalta and Lexapro have some similar side effects and others that vary. Below are examples of these side effects. This list contains 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with both Cymbalta and Lexapro when taken individually :. These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Cymbalta, with Lexapro, or with both drugs when taken individually.

The use of Cymbalta and Lexapro in treating depression in adults has been compared in a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis is a type of study that looks at the results of numerous clinical studies to see if there are any consistent results across the studies.

In this meta-analysis , researchers looked at 16 different clinical studies that compared Cymbalta to other antidepressants, including three studies that compared Cymbalta with Lexapro. The researchers found the two drugs to be similarly effective for treating depression. Cymbalta and Lexapro have also been compared in a meta-analysis for treating anxiety in adults. The researchers looked at 41 clinical studies involving a total of 11 antidepressants, including Cymbalta and Lexapro.

They found Cymbalta and Lexapro to be similarly effective for treating anxiety. According to estimates on GoodRx. Lexapro is available as a generic drug called escitalopram. Cymbalta and Effexor XR are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how these drugs are alike and different. Effexor XR contains the active drug venlafaxine ER. Duloxetine and venlafaxine ER both belong to a class of medications known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs.

This medication class is commonly used as antidepressants. Cymbalta and Effexor have some similar side effects and others that differ.

This list contains 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with both Cymbalta and Effexor XR when taken individually :. These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Cymbalta, with Effexor XR, or with both drugs when taken individually. The use of Cymbalta and Effexor XR in treating depression in adults has been compared in a meta-analysis. In this meta-analysis , researchers looked at 16 clinical studies comparing Cymbalta with other antidepressants , including three studies that compared Cymbalta with Effexor XR.

A clinical study directly compared Cymbalta and Effexor XR for treating anxiety in adults. In this study, the researchers randomly assigned people to take either Cymbalta, Effexor XR, or a placebo a treatment with no active drug once a day for 10 weeks. At the end of the study, the researchers found that people who took Cymbalta or Effexor XR had improved HAM-A scores compared with those who took a placebo.

They found Cymbalta and Effexor XR to be similarly effective for treating anxiety. Effexor XR is available as a generic drug called venlafaxine ER. Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions.

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat depression include:. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat anxiety include:. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat diabetic neuropathy diabetic nerve pain include:. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat fibromyalgia include:. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain pain in the bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons include:.

On its own, Cymbalta has caused liver damage and liver failure. In rare cases, this liver damage was fatal. Therefore, drinking heavily during your Cymbalta treatment could raise your risk for liver damage even more. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before you start taking Cymbalta.

Depending on the amount of alcohol you consume, they may decide to have you try a different medication for your condition. Cymbalta belongs to a drug class called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs.

Cymbalta begins working as soon as you take your dose. It takes about 3 days for levels of the drug to become stable in your body. For example, in clinical trials , some adults with pain caused by diabetic neuropathy nerve damage , as well as some adults with fibromyalgia, noticed improvement within 1 week of starting the drug. However, the National Alliance on Mental Illness notes that full improvement of depression symptoms may take up to 8 weeks.

If you have questions about how Cymbalta works, or how long it takes to work, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Cymbalta can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Cymbalta. Before taking Cymbalta, talk with your doctor and pharmacist.

Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Cymbalta can increase serotonin levels in your body. Using Cymbalta with other drugs that also increase serotonin may raise your risk for serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially life threatening condition.

Taking multiple medications that increase serotonin levels could cause serotonin to build up to dangerous levels in your blood. Before taking Cymbalta, be sure to tell your doctor if you take any of the medications listed above. They may want to monitor you for any signs of serotonin syndrome.

Or they may have you take a different drug to treat your condition. Taking Cymbalta with these drugs may increase Cymbalta levels in your body. Slowing down this process could raise your risk for side effects from Cymbalta.

Certain drugs have stronger effects on these enzymes. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Use Cymbalta Duloxetine exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Taking duloxetine in higher doses or more often than prescribed will not make it more effective, and may increase side effects. Your symptoms may not improve for up to 4 weeks. You may have unpleasant symptoms if you stop using duloxetine suddenly.

Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, dizziness or drowsiness, seizures, fast heartbeats, fainting, or coma. For these reasons, the use of Cymbalta or Lexapro in pregnancy must be weighed against potential harm to the fetus.

Alcohol can increase the toxic effects of both Cymbalta and Lexapro. Drinking alcohol while taking these drugs can cause significant psychomotor impairment, and for this reason, patients are advised to avoid alcohol if taking Cymbalta or Lexapro. As previously discussed, alcohol consumption while on Cymbalta increases the likelihood of hepatic failure.

Cymbalta is approved in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Patients should be educated that the drug will not provide immediate remission of anxiety symptoms, and some patients may need additional medication for acute anxiety episodes. Cymbalta works by increasing available norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters play a significant role in mood or affect. Cymbalta will affect mood by increasing available norepinephrine and serotonin. For most patients, this induces a positive change in their mental health.

If you notice a negative change in yourself or someone you care for while taking Cymbalta, including suicidal thoughts or ideations, seek help immediately. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Cymbalta vs. Lexapro: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. By Kristi C. Torres, Pharm. Top Reads in Drug vs. Toujeo vs Lantus: Main Differences and S Dulera vs Advair: Main Differences and S Suboxone vs Methadone: Main Differences Looking for a prescription?

Search now! Type your drug name.