Cymbalta
Millions of Americans suffer from depression and anxiety and deserve to find the right medications to help them. Many choices are out there, but it’s not always easy to understand the intricacies of each med. One common question is, “How long does it take for Cymbalta to work?”
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry provides an array of options for prescription medications. Our choices for depression and anxiety include Cymbalta. While many people have heard of this drug, many have not. In either case, one of their first questions is, “How long does it take for Cymbalta to work?” We explore this medication, how it works, how fast it works, possible side effects, and more to help you better understand your choices in treatment for mental health disorders.
What is Cymbalta?
Before getting into how long it takes for Cymbalta to work, let’s define what the drug is. Cymbalta is a prescription name for a drug called Duloxetine. It is prescribed to treat anxiety and depression and has the added ability to help relieve chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia and nerve damage. Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) drug and is available by prescription.
How Does Cymbalta Work?
Cymbalta affects neurotransmitters that communicate with a person’s brain cells. Because it is an SNRI drug, it blocks the brain’s reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine. When this happens, a person will feel less anxiety and depressive symptoms.
How Long Does it Take for Cymbalta to Work?
How long it takes for Cymbalta to work depends on a few things. For some people, relief begins within several days, although it takes two to four weeks for the full effect to kick in. Others find it takes longer to feel the initial effects. The prescribing clinician can discuss how the dosage amount may impact how quickly it works for a person.
Are There Side Effects of Cymbalta?
As with just about any medication, some side effects may occur when taking Cymbalta. They typically don’t last long, but in some cases, they may be long-term. Any side effects experienced should be brought up with the person who prescribed the medication.
Side effects that may occur with Cymbalta usage include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Feeling tired
- Dry mouth
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Sexual side effects like a diminished sex drive or difficulty achieving orgasm
More serious but less common side effects may include:
- Blood in urine, stool, or vomit
- Black bowel movements
- Hallucinations
- Blurred vision
- Bleeding from the gums
If these symptoms occur, contact the prescribing clinician immediately.
Recommended: Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms and Side Effects
How Do You Know Cymbalta is Working?
Part of answering the question, “How long does it take for Cymbalta to work?” is understanding how to recognize when it has become effective. The individual will have fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. The person may have a sunnier disposition and feel more energetic, too. As well, many or all of the side effects that initially occurred will have subsided. A discussion with the prescriber should help determine any reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression and if there is a need to change the dosage.
What To Do When Cymbalta Is Not Working
What if a person feels they’ve waited for how long it takes Cymbalta to work and aren’t feeling an improvement in their symptoms? If a few weeks have passed with no results, they should contact their healthcare provider and discuss the situation. They may recommend a change in dosage, trying a different medication, or adding a new medication in with Cymbalta.
Psychiatric Services in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry offers different psychiatric services to serve a diverse population of people in need of mental healthcare. The types of therapy we provide include:
- Individual Therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Ketamine Therapy
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
We also provide psychiatric evaluations, nutritional services, and genetic testing. An initial assessment will determine which types of therapy should prove to be the most helpful for each person.
Begin Effective Therapy Treatment for Mental Illness in Atlanta
Now that you have the answer to the question, “How long does it take for Cymbalta to work?”.
You may want to learn more about this and other medications.
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry has a friendly admissions staff that is happy to answer your questions and help you determine the best approach to healing your depression and anxiety.
Our outpatient therapy helps people transform their lives and enjoy better mental health.
Would you like to know more about how you can empower yourself through the use of quality therapy and prescription medications?
Call us or schedule an appointment online with us now and find out how easy it is to get started.
Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) while Cymbalta is an SNRI drug. Both drugs help treat depression and anxiety, but Cymbalta can also aid in treating chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia and nerve damage.
Physicians prescribe both of these SNRI drugs to help treat depression. Both medications also have FDA approval for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders, while Effexor also has approval to treat panic disorders and social anxiety disorders.
Cymbalta is an SNRI drug and Zoloft is an SSRI drug. Zoloft has FDA approval to be used to treat panic disorders and social anxiety disorders, while Cymbalta does not.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry is an Industry leader in mental health treatment . Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treat and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual.
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