Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Yentreve)
Matt Kauflin, Pharm.D., BCPS

Duloxetine - Cymbalta®, Yentreve®

Drug Class – Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) – similar to venlafaxine (Effexor®)

Mechanism of Action – duloxetine inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and exerts antidepressant and pain inhibitory actions by potentiating the serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the CNS

Dosage Forms – Oral capsule delayed release 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg

Dosing – Depression 20-30 mg po BID or 60 mg once daily (max 120 mg).  Peripheral neuropathy, pain, fibromyalgia 60 mg po once daily (max 120 mg).  Urinary incontinence 40 mg po BID.

Indications

  1. 1.Anxiety 

  2. 2.Depression 

  3. 3.Diabetic, peripheral neuropathy pain, fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal pain 

  4. 4.Urinary incontinence 

 

Duloxetine - Cymbalta®, Yentreve®

Dosage adjustment

  • Avoid use in severe hepatic impairment 

  • Initiate at lower doses in CrCl < 30 mL/min 

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to duloxetine 

  • Uncontrolled angle-closure glaucoma 

  • Within two weeks of MAOI 

Warnings

  • Suicidality 

  • Hyponatremia 

  • Not approved in kids 

Pregnancy

  • Not recommended in pregnancy – 3rd trimester 

  • Duloxetine is generally considered safe in breastfeeding 

 

Duloxetine - Cymbalta®, Yentreve®

Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, NSAIDs 

  • Triptans, SSRIs, tramadol 

  • Linezolid, TCAs, MAOIs 

  • CYP2D6 substrates, CYP1A2 and 2D6 inhibitors 

Adverse Effects

  • Headache, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, hyponatremia 

Monitoring Parameters

  • Improvement in symptoms of anxiety, depression, pain and urinary incontinence 

  • Worsening of depression/suicidality 

  • BP, CBC, electrolytes 

Therapeutic Pearls

  • Useful for depressed patients that also present with pain 

 

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