Overview

Many people with lupus experience depression because of disease activity, medication side effects, or the stress of living with a chronic illness. Cymbalta is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression, anxiety, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Cymbalta is also known by its drug name, Duloxetine. Cymbalta is an antidepressant of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class. Cymbalta is believed to work by changing the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

How do I take it?

Cymbalta is taken once or twice daily. Cymbalta comes in delayed-release capsule form.

Side effects

The FDA-approved label for Cymbalta lists common side effects including drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, and diarrhea. Rare but serious side effects listed for Cymbalta include worsening depression and suicidal thoughts.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Cymbalta – RxList 

Lupus and depression: Know the signs and how to get help – Lupus Foundation of America