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What Is Duloxetine?

Duloxetine is a prescription serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. 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 Duloxetine?

Duloxetine is a prescription serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. 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 Duloxetine Affect Serotonin and Norepinephrine?

The exact antidepressant, anxiety-related, and pain-related mechanisms of duloxetine are unknown. Its actions are thought to involve increased serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the central nervous system. Duloxetine inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine and has weaker effects on dopamine reuptake.

Which Conditions Are Treated With Duloxetine?

Duloxetine 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. Dose selection differs by condition, age, kidney function, liver function, response, and tolerability.

How Are Duloxetine Capsules Dosed?

Adult major depressive disorder commonly starts at 40 mg to 60 mg daily. Adult generalized anxiety disorder commonly starts at 60 mg once daily, while selected patients start at 30 mg daily before increasing. Fibromyalgia and chronic musculoskeletal pain start at 30 mg daily for one week and then increase to 60 mg daily. Capsules are swallowed whole.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Duloxetine?

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Duloxetine

Is duloxetine an SNRI?

Yes. Duloxetine inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake in the central nervous system.

What conditions does duloxetine treat?

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

What is the duloxetine dosing frequency?

Current delayed-release capsule labeling uses once-daily dosing for several indications, with condition-specific dose ranges.

Can duloxetine be stopped suddenly?

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

References

DailyMed - CYMBALTA (duloxetine hydrochloride) capsule, delayed release. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2f7d4d67-10c1-4bf4-a7f2-c185fbad64ba. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

DailyMed - DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE capsule, delayed release. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=05a744a5-64ef-42d7-a19c-568be5a272d4. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Duloxetine. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604030.html. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Duloxetine. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Duloxetine. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Duloxetine. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549806/. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.