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What Is Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is a prescription serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor containing duloxetine. It treats major depressive disorder in adults, generalized anxiety disorder in adults and children age 7 and older, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults, fibromyalgia in adults and adolescents age 13 and older, and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults.

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What Is Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is a prescription serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor containing duloxetine. It treats major depressive disorder in adults, generalized anxiety disorder in adults and children age 7 and older, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults, fibromyalgia in adults and adolescents age 13 and older, and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults.

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How Does Cymbalta Affect Serotonin and Norepinephrine?

The exact antidepressant, anxiety-reducing, and pain-related mechanisms of duloxetine are unknown. Its actions are believed to involve increased serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the central nervous system. Duloxetine inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing activity in these neurotransmitter pathways.

Which Conditions Are Treated With Cymbalta?

Cymbalta treats adult major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder from age 7, adult diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia in adults and patients age 13 to 17, and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults. Age criteria and dosing differ by indication.

How Are Cymbalta Capsules Dosed?

Dosing depends on the condition. Adult major depressive disorder commonly starts at 40 mg to 60 mg daily. Adult generalized anxiety disorder commonly uses 60 mg once daily. Fibromyalgia and chronic musculoskeletal pain start at 30 mg once daily for one week and then increase to 60 mg once daily. Capsules are swallowed whole.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Cymbalta?

Cymbalta carries a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants. Other serious risks include liver injury, serotonin syndrome, bleeding, orthostatic hypotension, falls, discontinuation symptoms, mania or hypomania, angle-closure glaucoma, seizures, increased blood pressure, low sodium, and urinary retention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cymbalta

What conditions does Cymbalta treat?

Cymbalta treats selected depressive, anxiety, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Is Cymbalta an SNRI?

Yes. Duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

How often is Cymbalta taken?

Several labeled regimens use once-daily dosing, though the exact dose depends on the treated condition and age.

Can Cymbalta be stopped suddenly?

No. Gradual dose reduction is recommended when possible to reduce discontinuation symptoms.

References

CYMBALTA (duloxetine) Medication Guide. https://pi.lilly.com/us/Cymbalta-Medguide.pdf. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

CYMBALTA (duloxetine) Prescribing Information. https://pi.lilly.com/us/cymbalta-pi.pdf. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

DailyMed - CYMBALTA (duloxetine hydrochloride) capsule, delayed release. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2f7d4d67-10c1-4bf4-a7f2-c185fbad64ba. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

Duloxetine. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604030.html. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

Duloxetine. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549806/. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.