Cymbalta is an antidepressant medicine from the class of drug Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) that has the generic name Duloxetine Hydrochlroride or can be simply called Duloxetine.
SNRI is a class of drug that can be described as a “happy hormone”. It works by increasing both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake activities in the brain. This helps to balance neurotransmitters and to regulate or improve your mood.
Anxiety on the other hand should be taken seriously. Your ability to still go about your daily duties and task does not mean that anxiety could be taken lightly.
Anxiety has some symptoms which includes;
- Feeling nervous
- Feeling of pending danger or attack
- Fear and worry
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Weight loss sometimes
- Increase heart rate
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Hyperventilation
- Irritability
If not paid attention to and treated on time, it could lead to a more severe mental and physical health impairment.
HOW FAST DOES CYMBALTA WORK FOR ANXIETY?
Anxiety is one of the most common types of mental disorder and Cymbalta is a very effective drug for the treatment of anxiety no doubt but, the reaction of Cymbalta depends on a persons symptom and it also varies from person to person.
For some people, Cymbalta can begin to work in just a week of taking it while for other people, it may take longer (about 3 weeks or more) to work.
DOSAGE OF CYMBALTA FOR TREATMENT OF ANXIETY
The dosage of cymbalta for treatment of anxiety is the general dosage used to treat every other health condition that needs Cymbalta. The dosage is usually 60mg a day. It can be continued in this same dose or increased to a maximum of about 120mg a day.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU MISS A DOSE?
If you miss a dose, it is necessary to take your dosage as soon as you remember. But if you miss a dose and it is close to the time of the next dose, do not take the last dose with the present dose. Take the present dose so as to avoid overdosing the drugs.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I OVERDOSE?
Common symptoms of overdosing Cymbalta includes; dizziness, fast heartbeat, seizures, vomiting and lots more. If you experience any of these, talk to or visit your doctor for medical advise before continuing the drugs.
WHAT TO AVOID WHILE TAKING CYMBALTA?
There are some things you should avoid consuming while taking Cymbalta to avoid any form of complication.
They include;
- Alcohol
- Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
- Antidepressants
- Medicines for cough or cold.
- Sleeping pills or tablets
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE CYMBALTA?
Cymbalta is not meant for everyone.
The groups of people who should not take Cymbalta includes;
- Children under seven years of age
- Pregnant women
- Old people
WHAT ELSE DOES CYMBALTA WORK FOR?
Apart from working for anxiety.
Cymbalta can be used to treat the following;
Depression
Fibromyalgia
Chronic muscle or joint pains
Diabetic peripheral
Neuropathy
Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropsthy
Urinary incontinence
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Certain types of phobias
SIDE EFFECTS OF CYMBALTA
In as much as drugs treat, all drugs has side effects and no one drug affects everyone the same way and Cymbalta is not left out. Cymbalta has a lot of side effects ranging from common to serious and also on children and on sexual health.
Common side effects of cymbalta includes;
- Headache
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fatigue
This common side effects are expected to go in the space of one to two weeks of continuously treatment when Cymbalta works fully.
Serious (rare) side effects of cymbalta includes;
- Allergic reaction
- Burning eyes
- Constipation
- Drop in blood pressure
- Fever
- Glaucoma
- Hallucination
- Increased heart rate
- Irritability
- Lightheadedness
- Liver problem
- Loss of control
- Muscle cramps
- Painful or difficulty in urinating
- Serotanin syndrome
- Skin rash
- Sore throat
- Swelling in face
- Tremor
- Trouble breathing
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Vision problem
Side effects of cymbalta in children includes;
- Bleeding gums
- Constipation
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea
- Nose and throat irritation
- Trouble urinating
- Vomiting blood
- Weight loss
Sexually related side effects of cymbalta in children includes;
- Decrease in libido
- Delayed ejaculation
- Difficulty in getting aroused
- Difficulty reaching orgasm
- Erectile dysfunction
These side effects are the common side effects that mostly occur when the drug Cymbalta is taken in overdose.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF CYMBALTA DOES NOT WORK FOR YOUR ANXIETY OR THE SIDE EFFECTS PROLONGS
If Cymbalta takes a longer time to work than expected or the side effects does not go as expected, it is important that you first stop taking the drug then, it is also important and necessary this time that you talk to or visit your Doctor or any medical professional you are well acquainted with.
He or she would be able to figure out the reason why it is prolonging and may also work on the dosage of the drugs.
CYMBALTA WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Cymbalta like some antidepressants always leave some awful symptoms behind when they get finished in the body. These symptoms are known as withdrawal symptoms in general and it happens when a drug is stopped suddenly.
The withdrawal symptoms may be similar to the side effects of Cymbalta but they occur in an entirely different manner.
These withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta include;
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability
- Lucid dreams
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Heart palpitations
- Tremors
These withdrawal symptoms can last for you to 6 weeks but are rarely harmful.
CONCLUSION
Cymbalta is an antidepressant medicine used to treat not just mental conditions but also physical condition. When using it to treat anxiety, have in mind that it could work in a week or take a long time as long as 3 weeks or more to work.
If it prolongs than expected, do well to discontinue the drug and talk to or visit your Doctor so as to know what to do next. Also, avoid operating machineries, driving or doing tedious jobs while taking this drug to avoid running into a major or minor accident.