Cymbalta (duloxetine) may be causing problems for loved one, any experiences in switching?

Learn2Cope: As we here on the forum are not doctors of medicine, you should pose your question to your mother's physician.

Certainly do not totally rely on internet re-search although some is informative and can be double checked with your mother's medical provider. This is some of what I found by a simple search:

Duloxetine (Cymbalta) can cause low blood pressure and low blood sodium levels. These can put you at higher risk for falls and dizziness. This tends to happen within the first week of treatment, but can occur at any time, particularly after the dose is raised.

Can duloxetine cause low blood sodium?

Hyponatremia is a known adverse effect of duloxetine, and it can lead to potentially life-threatening complications. Administration of thiazide diuretics also has been the cause of hyponatremia.

Which drug is best to avoid in combination with duloxetine?

It's not recommended to combine duloxetine with other antidepressants. Other common antidepressants include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like paroxetine (Paxil, Brisdelle) and fluoxetine (Prozac) Other SNRIs like venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Why is Cymbalta so hard to get off of?

Unfortunately, drugs like duloxetine can cause physical dependence at very high rates. One particular study from 2005 noted that nearly 44% of participants experienced withdrawal symptoms. This is because the brain becomes used to the drug's ability to increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine present.

READ THIS: https://www.drugs.com/compare/cymbalta

Gena / Touch Matters

Always discuss with her doctor but be an advocate as well. Speak about alternatives and mention your concerns. I also took Cymbalta for a couple years but changed to Venlafaxine (Effexor).

YES!! My mom was hospitalized for severe hyponatremia March 2021. She was taking several offending medications her doctor prescribed. Hydrochlorathiazide, Omemprazole, Cymbalta which all contribute to low sodium. She's off those meds, takes 75mg bupropion (Wellbutrin) and has been on sodium chloride tablets for 2 yrs. Her labwork has been great, no problems with the sodium anymore. You really have to monitor fluid intake as it will cause problems. Propel or Gatorade is a good alternative

Even Lexapro can lower sodium levels. Perhaps Cymbalta is doing this even more. The sodium level is crucial and can get trickier with age. Primary care doctors are not always experts on less common medication side effects. I have found a better guide for medications to be a kidney specialist who had to step in when Lexapro lowered my sodium levels. I now have the kidney doctor review all my medications for exactly that possibility.

Medical questions can and should not be answered in this group as we are not doctors.

Duplicate post

Good idea to discuss with her doctor. Those I know who were on Cymbalta had great relief for their pain and depression. It worked great for my cousin with her arthritis. Her mood was also greatly improved.