Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a prescription oral capsule used to treat several conditions, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Cymbalta may not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Cymbalta is a safe option for you.

Taking Cymbalta during pregnancy is not recommended. This is because it’s not fully known what effects the drug may have if taken during pregnancy. But it’s possible that Cymbalta may cause harm to a fetus.

There have been reports that taking Cymbalta in the month before delivery may increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (severe bleeding immediately after delivery).

Other reports have not shown a clear risk for congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) caused by Cymbalta.

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other treatments that may be safer to take during pregnancy.

If you do take Cymbalta while pregnant, consider signing up for the drug’s pregnancy registry. A pregnancy registry collects data about a drug’s effects when taken during pregnancy. To learn more or sign up, call 866-961-2388 or visit the registry website.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects that Cymbalta could have on you or your child.

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Cymbalta while breastfeeding. However, the drug passes into breast milk, so it may affect a child who is breastfed. There have been reports of children experiencing drowsiness, feeding problems, and difficulty gaining weight when exposed to duloxetine (the active ingredient in Cymbalta) through breast milk.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

The sections above describe the reproductive health information provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor prescribes Cymbalta for you, they can provide more details.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

  • Are there alternatives to Cymbalta that may be safer to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
  • If I stop taking Cymbalta during pregnancy, how will we treat my condition?
  • What should I do if I become pregnant while taking Cymbalta?

To learn more about Cymbalta, see these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.