Duloxetine

Duloxetine, sold under the brand name Cymbalta among others,^[1] is a medication used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, central sensitization, and other types of chronic pain.^[9][10] It is taken by mouth.^[9]

Duloxetine is a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).^[11] The precise mechanism for its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects is not known.^[9]

Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, drowsiness, sexual problems, and increased sweating.^[12] Severe side effects include an increased risk of suicide, serotonin syndrome, mania, and liver problems.^[9] Antidepressant withdrawal syndrome may occur if stopped.^[9] Use during the later part of pregnancy may increase the risk of bleeding or cause complications for the fetus.^[12]

Duloxetine was approved for medical use in the United States^[9][13] and the European Union in 2004.^[4][6] It is available as a generic medication.^[11] In 2022, it was the 31st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 18 million prescriptions.^[14][15]