Author: Charles Frank

Can I Drink Alcohol With Cymbalta?

cymbalta and alcohol

Duloxetine also treats fibromyalgia, nerve pain, and chronic pain. It may also be prescribed off-label to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, lower back pain, and stress-related urinary incontinence. Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how Cymbalta affects you. Your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Tell your doctor right away if you or your loved ones notice any changes in your behavior or moods. Children, teens, and young adults may also experience increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly when they first start taking Cymbalta. Alcohol may heighten this risk if it is consumed while you are taking your medication.

cymbalta and alcohol

As a result, their sexual health may have also improved. Typically, one of the biggest concerns in regard to taking medication with alcohol is the risk of additive sedation and cognitive impairment. This does not appear to be an issue with Cymbalta and intermittent alcohol consumption.

If you have problems with your sodium levels, talk with your doctor before you take Cymbalta. If you have diabetes, Cymbalta may make it more difficult to manage your blood sugar levels. Before taking Cymbalta, talk with your doctor about a plan for managing your blood sugar levels. If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Cymbalta, they may have you switch to a different treatment. If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Cymbalta, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

Increased Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Your doctor can tell you about their understanding of long-term Cymbalta use. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Cymbalta can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article. Further, long-term heavy alcohol use while taking an antidepressant such as Cymbalta can make your antidepressant less effective. As a result, your treatment may take longer or be compromised. Alcohol can affect the quality of your sleep, which can contribute to worsening depression.

Your doctor can evaluate your health and guide you through the withdrawal process based on your unique needs and situation. If you are taking Cymbalta and want to know if having a drink or two is safe, talk to your doctor. Because they understand your situation and history, they can make recommendations based on your needs and health. For more about this FDA boxed warning, see “Side effects explained” above. Drinking alcohol isn’t recommended with Cymbalta, especially heavy alcohol consumption.

cymbalta and alcohol

If you develop any of the above symptoms, get emergency medical care right away. If this side effect continues to bother you, your doctor may suggest adjusting your dosage or switching to a different drug. If you have questions about weight changes with Cymbalta, talk with your doctor.

Consider using a journal or app to make notes about your mood. You may want to ask your loved ones to let you know if they notice that you’re acting differently. Tell your doctor right away if you or someone else notices any changes in your behavior or moods. While taking Cymbalta, you should watch for any new behaviors, feelings, or thoughts. This is especially important in the first few weeks after starting Cymbalta or after your dose is adjusted. Insomnia is also a common side effect reported in children taking Cymbalta.

Long-term side effects of Cymbalta

The results of an eye exam can help you and your doctor decide if it’s safe for you to take Cymbalta. Cymbalta side effects can affect each person differently. For example, nausea may be a mild, temporary side effect for some people. In studies, a small percentage of people had to stop taking the drug due to nausea. Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during Cymbalta treatment. There is a major interaction between Cymbalta (duloxetine) and alcohol in individuals with a history of substantial alcohol intake or abuse.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Cymbalta. If you’re having insomnia since starting Cymbalta, talk with your doctor. They may suggest the temporary use of a sleep aid, such as melatonin. Or they may adjust your dosage or discuss other treatment options with you. Other side effects are more likely to continue for as long as you’re taking the drug.

  1. This could make Cymbalta less effective for treating your condition.
  2. Or they may recommend a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream.
  3. If you have a condition that can slow stomach emptying, such as diabetes, the special coating may get destroyed.
  4. Drinking while you take Cymbalta could increase this risk.
  5. If this side effect continues to bother you, your doctor may suggest adjusting your dosage or switching to a different drug.
  6. This can lead to a worsening of symptoms of depression and anxiety.

A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to do so while taking Cymbalta. You can also ask them how much alcohol is safe for you to drink. Like most drugs, Cymbalta can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Cymbalta has a boxed warning for suicidal behaviors and thoughts.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Cymbalta

Examples include sweating more than usual and sexual side effects. Note that some males and females in this study reported improvements in sexual desire, performance, and satisfaction with Cymbalta treatment. This may be because the medication helped to reduce the symptoms of their condition.

Taking Cymbalta for Alcohol Withdrawal

Before starting Cymbalta, tell your doctor about any current or past bleeding problems. As such, they have a special coating that helps protect the drug against the acid in your stomach. If you have a condition that can slow stomach emptying, such as diabetes, the special coating may get destroyed. This could make Cymbalta less effective for treating your condition. Before taking Cymbalta, talk with your doctor about any medical conditions that you have. Cymbalta has several warnings that may affect whether you can safely use this drug to treat your condition.

Will Cymbalta side effects differ depending on the strength I use (20 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg)?

It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Although rare, Cymbalta can cause serious liver damage that could be fatal. The risk of this side effect may be higher with alcohol use. It could also be higher in people who already had liver problems before starting Cymbalta.

In a person who has liver or kidney problems, Cymbalta levels could become too high in their body. People who already have liver problems may be at higher risk for this side effect. Before taking Cymbalta, tell your doctor about any liver or kidney problems you have. One study found that treatment with a low dose of duloxetine significantly decreased alcohol use. The study also found that this decrease in drinking was also accompanied by a drop in anxiety-related behaviors. Taking these two substances together can heighten this risk.