Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: DULOXETINE (doo-LOX-e-teen)
This medicine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used for treating depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It is used for managing pain caused by fibromyalgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPNP). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using this medicine outweigh the risks. FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS MUST CLOSELY WATCH PATIENTS who take this medicine. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking a quinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) (eg, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine), an SNRI (eg, venlafaxine), thioridazine, or tryptophan. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking 5-HT1 receptor agonists (eg, sumatriptan), linezolid, lithium, quinidine, rasagiline, St. John's wort, tramadol, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), cimetidine, medicines for high blood pressure, certain antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide, propafenone), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of seizures, heart problems (eg, heart failure, irregular heartbeat), recent heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes, stomach or bowel problems (eg, slowed emptying), increased eye pressure (eg, glaucoma), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic-depression), other mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse. Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated, have trouble urinating, have low blood sodium levels, or drink alcohol. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma; liver problems; severe kidney problems; or you are having dialysis. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN on an empty stomach or with food. Taking it with food may help to decrease the chance of nausea or stomach upset. SWALLOW THIS MEDICINE WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Do not open the capsule and sprinkle the contents of the capsule on food or mix with liquids. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE THIS MEDICINE on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped or if the dose of this medicine is decreased. Side effects may occur. They may include mental or mood changes, numbness or tingling of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, confusion, headache, increased sweating, nausea, nightmare, ringing in the ears, seizures, trouble sleeping, unusual tiredness, or vomiting. You will be closely monitored when you start this medicine and whenever a change in dose is made. If your doctor wants you to stop taking this medicine, your dose may need to be slowly lowered to decrease the risk of side effects. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, FAINTING, OR BLURRED VISION; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using this medicine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, AND YOUNG ADULTS who take this medicine may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take this medicine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; any unusual change in mood or behavior; or signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. SEROTONIN SYNDROME and NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME (NMS) are possibly fatal syndromes that can be caused by this medicine. Your risk may be greater if you take this medicine with certain other medicines (eg, MAOIs, SSRIs, "triptans"). Symptoms may include blood pressure changes; agitation; confusion; hallucinations; other mental or mood changes; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; rigid muscles; nausea; vomiting; or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. IF YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, you will need to wait for at least 5 days before beginning to take certain other medicines (eg, MAOIs). Ask your doctor when you should start to take your new medicines after you have stopped taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. USE THIS MEDICINE WITH CAUTION IN THE ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood sodium levels. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE HARM TO THE FETUS if it is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation, decreased sexual desire or ability, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, sore throat, tiredness, trouble sleeping, vomiting, or weakness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bizarre behavior; bloody or black, tarry stools; blurred vision; confusion; dark urine; excessive sweating; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever or chills; hallucinations; loss of coordination; new or worsening agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, restlessness, or inability to sit still; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; severe or persistent trouble sleeping; severe or persistent tiredness or weakness; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; trouble urinating or change in the amount of urine produced; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; worsening of depression; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include agitation; blurred vision; confusion; coma; fast or irregular heartbeat; excessive sweating; fever; hallucinations; seizures; and severe or persistent diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, or vomiting; or severe or persistent tiredness or weakness.
SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS before your symptoms improve. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. DIABETES PATIENTS - This medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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