Side Effects of Cymbalta and How Do I Deal with It

Cymbalta helps to restore the natural biological balance in your brain, which is claimed to allow your neurons to basically soak for a longer period of time in these brain produced chemicals to balance your state of being and to overcome depression.

Cymbalta tends to work for majority of people with most of the side effects stays for temporary only.
The most common side effects are as below with their percentage assigned:

  • 10% of consumers experienced : dry mouth, nausea, and constipation
  • 8% of consumers experienced: decreased appetite, weight loss, insomnia and fatigue, dizziness, tremor, blurred vision, hot flashes, diarrhea or vomiting
  • 3% of consumers experienced loss of libido and lack of orgasm with erection and ejaculation issues, while men urinary hesitancy, dilated pupils, and low blood sodium especially in older people.

    • We can further categorized these side effects into different level of severity, and they can be taken care of:

    A. Very severe effect:
    Symptoms : fainting, severe vomiting and nausea and mood swing, agitation, mania, suicidal thoughts, urinating difficulty, jaundice, seizures, muscle weakness or cramping

    How to deal with them: Stop the drug immediately, Seek for medical attention immediately in a hospital or specialist centre is highly advised!

    B. Severe side effect:
    Symptoms : Allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling in the throat, hives, irregular pulses, low blood pressure with dizziness , high blood pressure with severe headache, blurred vision, chills or fever, unusual bleeding

    How to deal with them : Stop consuming Cymbalta for a day or two ; seek for medical attention immediately

    C. Mildly annoying side effect:
    Symptoms: headache, nervousness, tremor, or anxiety ; difficulty concentrating, constipation, nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, sexual issues or changes in appetite

    How to deal with them: You may continue with Cymbalta but need to discuss with your doctor if the dosage can be reduced accordingly ; you may want to avoid driving for the first few days new on this drug

    D. Cymbalta can also have additional side effects due to drug interactions:

  • People on blood thinners can hemorrhage easier
  • People on allergy and cold medications, will experienced drowsiness and impaired reaction time
  • People on migraine medication, the side effects can range from increased dizziness, hallucinations, to seizures and even coma.
  • Be careful not to mix Cymbalta with MAOI ( monoamine oxidase inhibitor) type drugs
  • If one is taking Mellaril
  • If one has an uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucome

    • Alternatively, there are non-Prescription all-natural anxiety relief products which are available in the market which can help to restore and balances healthy neurologic function and provides the nutritional support needs for overall well-being. The natural supplements can support a new less hectic and stressful lifestyle. These products have limited side effects, less drug interactions, less expensive than Cymbalta.

    In a nutshell, while some of the symptoms may seem to be slightly annoying in the beginning, give Cymbalta a chance. Your body need time to adjust to Cymbalta, as it will with any other drugs. Stick with Cymbalta, and your life is much improved as a result.