Duloxetine delayed-release capsules
Duloxetine delayed-release capsules
What is this medicine?
DULOXETINE (doo LOX e teen) is used to treat depression, anxiety, and different types of chronic pain.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not crush, cut or chew some capsules of this medicine. Some capsules may be opened and sprinkled on applesauce. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly except upon the advice of your doctor. Stopping this medicine too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 7 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
anxious
breathing problems
confusion
changes in vision
chest pain
confusion
elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior
eye pain
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
feeling agitated, angry, or irritable
hallucination, loss of contact with reality
high blood pressure
loss of balance or coordination
palpitations
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
restlessness, pacing, inability to keep still
seizures
stiff muscles
suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
trouble sleeping
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually weak or tired
vomiting
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
change in sex drive or performance
change in appetite or weight
constipation
dizziness
dry mouth
headache
increased sweating
nausea
tired
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
desvenlafaxine
levomilnacipran
linezolid
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
methylene blue (injected into a vein)
milnacipran
thioridazine
venlafaxine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
alcohol
amphetamines
aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and enoxacin
certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
certain medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
cimetidine
fentanyl
lithium
NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
phentermine
procarbazine
rasagiline
sibutramine
St. John's wort
theophylline
tramadol
tryptophan
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
bipolar disorder
glaucoma
high blood pressure
kidney disease
liver disease
seizures
suicidal thoughts, plans or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots
taken medicines called MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate within 14 days
trouble passing urine
an unusual reaction to duloxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or healthcare provider for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your healthcare provider.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medicine can cause an increase in blood pressure. This medicine can also cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure, which may make you feel faint and increase the chance of a fall. These effects are most common when you first start the medicine or when the dose is increased, or during use of other medicines that can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Check with your doctor for instructions on monitoring your blood pressure while taking this medicine.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water, may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Updated:  
March 25, 2020