What is the most important information I should know about duloxetine?
Do not take duloxetine together with
thioridazine (
Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (
Marplan),
phenelzine (
Nardil),
rasagiline (
Azilect),
selegiline (
Eldepryl,
Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (
Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after
stopping an MAOI before you can take duloxetine. After you stop taking duloxetine, you must
wait at least 5 days before you start taking an MAOI.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant,
especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular
visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood
or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks,
trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable,
agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless,
hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or
have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Avoid
drinking alcohol while taking duloxetine. Alcohol may increase the risk of
damage to your liver.
Cold or
allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills,
muscle relaxers, and
medicine for
seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by duloxetine. Tell
your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
Duloxetine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What is duloxetine?
Duloxetine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Duloxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may
become unbalanced and cause depression.
Duloxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder. It is
also used to treat pain caused by nerve damage in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy).
Duloxetine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking duloxetine?
Do not use duloxetine together with thioridazine (Mellaril), or an MAO inhibitor
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline
(Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam). Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur
when these medicines are taken with duloxetine. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an
MAO inhibitor before you can take duloxetine. After you stop taking duloxetine, you must wait
at least 5 days before you start taking an MAOI.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to duloxetine, or if you have untreated
or uncontrolled
glaucoma.
Before taking duloxetine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take duloxetine.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant,
especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening
symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or
whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or
symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of
treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. Duloxetine may be harmful to an unborn baby, and may
cause problems in a newborn baby if the mother takes the medication late in pregnancy (during
the third trimester). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
Duloxetine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.
Do not give duloxetine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
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