Cymbalta (Duloxetine) for Spondylitis

Overview
Cymbalta is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression, anxiety, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Cymbalta is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat spondylitis because it is thought to lower the intensity of pain pathways. 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 nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, constipation, decreased appetite, and excessive sweating.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Cymbalta include worsening depression, liver toxicity, low blood pressure, serotonin syndrome, abnormal bleeding, mania, seizures, high glucose, urinary retention, and suicidal thoughts.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Cymbalta — RxList
http://www.rxlist.com/cymbalta-drug.htm

Pain, Pain, Go Away: Antidepressants and Pain Management — National Center for Biotechnology Information
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27...