This article describes possible interactions with duloxetine DR oral capsule. (DR means the drug is released into your body a certain amount of time after you take it.) Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
To find coupon options for duloxetine and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Duloxetine DR oral capsule has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adults younger than age 25 years.
See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
Other drugs and duloxetine
Before taking duloxetine delayed-release (DR) oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions. If you’re concerned about possible interactions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Drugs that may interact with duloxetine DR oral capsule are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with duloxetine.
Drugs that may interact with duloxetine DR oral capsule include:
* For details about duloxetine DR oral capsule and MAOIs, see the “When to avoid duloxetine” section below.
Other interactions and duloxetine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether duloxetine delayed-release (DR) oral capsule has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with duloxetine.
Duloxetine and food
Duloxetine DR oral capsule isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods to avoid while taking duloxetine DR oral capsule (Cymbalta).
Duloxetine and supplements
Before taking duloxetine DR oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
Duloxetine may interact with L-tryptophan supplements. Like duloxetine, this supplement may be used for anxiety and other conditions. Taking duloxetine and L-tryptophan may lead to serotonin syndrome. (With this condition, you have a high level of the chemical serotonin in your body.)
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements, such as L-tryptophan, with duloxetine. They can tell you whether it’s safe to take them together.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Duloxetine interactions with herbs
Duloxetine DR oral capsule may interact with St. John’s wort and valerian root. Like duloxetine, these herbs may be used for certain mental health conditions. St. John’s wort may be used for depression, while valerian root may be used for anxiety or to help with sleep.
Taking duloxetine and St. John’s wort may lead to serotonin syndrome. Taking duloxetine and valerian root may worsen side effects of duloxetine and valerian root, such as drowsiness.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these herbs during treatment with duloxetine DR oral capsule.
Duloxetine interactions with vitamins
Duloxetine DR oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with duloxetine DR oral capsule.
Duloxetine and vaccines
Duloxetine DR oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with duloxetine DR oral capsule.
Duloxetine and lab tests
Duloxetine DR oral capsule isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with duloxetine DR oral capsule.
Duloxetine and cannabis or CBD
In studies, cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products have been shown to interact with duloxetine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking duloxetine and cannabis products may affect the level of duloxetine in your body. This could cause duloxetine to be less effective. Or it may raise your risk of side effects from duloxetine.
Before you take duloxetine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and duloxetine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with duloxetine delayed-release (DR) oral capsule. Before taking duloxetine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll talk with you about duloxetine warnings and determine whether the drug is right for you.
Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with duloxetine DR oral capsule:
When to avoid duloxetine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with duloxetine delayed-release (DR) oral capsule. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe duloxetine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for duloxetine DR oral capsule:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). If you take an MAOI, taking duloxetine DR oral capsule may lead to serotonin syndrome. (With this condition, you have a high level of the chemical serotonin in your body.) This side effect may occur if you take duloxetine with an MAOI. It may also occur if you take duloxetine within 14 days of stopping an MAOI, or if you take an MAOI within 5 days of stopping duloxetine.
- Past allergic reaction to duloxetine. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to duloxetine DR oral capsule in the past, taking duloxetine DR oral capsule may cause another allergic reaction.
Before starting treatment with duloxetine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take duloxetine.
Alcohol and duloxetine
Duloxetine delayed-release (DR) oral capsule is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, both duloxetine DR oral capsule and alcohol may cause liver damage. (To learn more about duloxetine’s side effects, see this article.)
Your risk of liver damage with duloxetine may be higher if you drink large amounts of alcohol while taking the drug. For this reason, your doctor may recommend limiting the amount of alcohol you consume during duloxetine treatment.
If you drink alcohol and have concerns about limiting it during treatment with duloxetine DR oral capsule, talk with your doctor.
Preventing duloxetine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with duloxetine delayed-release (DR) oral capsule. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your duloxetine DR oral capsule treatment.
Taking duloxetine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about duloxetine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my duloxetine treatment?
- How do duloxetine’s interactions compare with other medications for my condition?
- Could I still take duloxetine even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
Boxed warning for duloxetine
Duloxetine delayed-release oral capsule has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This risk affects children and adults younger than age 25 years. (Duloxetine is only approved to treat a certain anxiety disorder in some children. To learn more, see this article.)
Suicide was rarely reported in studies of duloxetine for adults. But it wasn’t reported in studies of the drug for children. Still, suicidal thoughts and behaviors are a known risk of duloxetine and medications used for depression.
While you’re taking duloxetine, your doctor will watch for unusual behaviors or mood changes. Examples include anxiety, new or worsened depression, aggressive behavior, and thoughts of suicide or death. They’ll watch most closely for these changes during the first few months you take duloxetine and whenever they adjust your duloxetine dosage. You, your family, and your friends should also watch for these changes.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
