Duloxetine (generic for Cymbalta®)
FDA Approved
Duloxetine (generic for Cymbalta®)
- Duloxetine Hydrochloride ()
Generic For Cymbalta®
How does Cabinet care for you?
Seamless transfer process. Our pharmacist will coordinate with your current pharmacy or provider to transfer your prescription.
Better for the planet. Our pharmacy will send your prescription refills in plastic-free, compostable pouches.
Stress-free refills. Our care team will help manage your refills and prescription renewals, so you don't have to worry about running out of pills.
Satisfaction guarantee. If your care needs aren't being met, our care team is here and eager to help! If you're not satisfied, we can transfer your prescription back to your old pharmacy at any time.

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Meet the only sustainable
medicine system

Magnetic label with drug information, lot #, expiration date and QR code to scan for refills. Fully recyclable and made from galvanized steel.
Color coded and child resistant cap with medicine category label.
Frosted, shatter-tested glass medicine bottle, made from 100% recyclable materials.
100% industrial compostable refill pouches keep medicine as fresh and safe as plastic medicine bottles.


Frequently Asked Questions
Duloxetine is the generic equivalent of Cymbalta®.
By law, a generic drug must be the same as its brand name counterpart in terms of active ingredient, dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality. A generic may, however, differ in its inactive ingredients (i.e. flavoring, fillers, and preservatives).
Duloxetine (Cymbalta®) does come with serious warnings. These include:
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions*
Serotonin syndrome—a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when there’s too much serotonin in the brain
Withdrawal symptoms—abrupt discontinuation of treatment can cause nausea, anxiety, confusion, and headache.
Liver problems, liver damage
Abnormal bleeding problems
Manic episodes or hypomania in patients with bipolar disorder
Seizures
High blood pressure or changes in blood pressure—must be monitored periodically
Severe skin reactions
Glaucoma
Increases in blood sugar
Risk of falls in older patients
If any of the above concern you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about your perceived risk and other treatment options that exist.
*This warning is a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious type of medication warning assigned by the FDA.
Duloxetine is an SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). It works by blocking the brain’s absorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, “feed good” chemicals in your brain. The end result? An increased level of norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain, which is thought to improve mood and pain.
Duloxetine is FDA approved for the treatment of:
Major depressive disorder (MDD) or depression
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Diabetic neuropathy pain
Fibromyalgia
Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Amitriptyline may also be used off-label for nerve pain.
The most common side effects of duloxetine include:
Nausea
Dry mouth
Drowsiness, sleepiness
Fatigue
Constipation
Decreased appetitie
Sweating
Altered sex drive
Weight loss, weight gain
Small increases in heart rate
Loss of appetite
Side effects may improve over time as your body adjusts to the medicine.
This list doesn’t represent all possible side effects (or serious side effects) of duloxetine. If you’re experiencing any ongoing, bothersome side effect(s), tell your healthcare provider right away.
If you’d like to learn more, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has a helpful medication guide for duloxetine here.
Duloxetine can interact with some prescription medication and supplements. It’s always recommended to give both your doctor and pharmacy an updated list of everything you’re taking, so drug interactions can be identified.
Some medicines and supplements duloxetine can interact with include:
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): citalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid
SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, milnacipran
Triptans: sumatriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan
Arrhythmia medications: propafenone, flecainide
Alcohol
NSAIDs: aspirin, ibuprofen
Warfarin
Tramadol
Cimetidine
St. John’s Wort
Ciprofloxacin
This list doesn’t represent all the drugs that may not be safe to take with duloxetine. If you’re unsure whether a certain drug or supplement can be taken with duloxetine, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA also has a helpful medication guide for duloxetine here.
If you accidentally miss your dose of duloxetine, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 2 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Don't take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Duloxetine may be taken with or without food. Take each capsule whole. Avoid crushing, chewing, or opening the capsule.
During pregnancy: The safety of duloxetine use during pregnancy isn’t well established.
While breastfeeding: The safety of duloxetine in infants is unknown. Use of this drug while nursing isn’t recommended.
It’s important to treat mental health-related conditions when pregnant or nursing, as untreated depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses can harm both you and baby. Always let your provider know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so you can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Cymbalta (duloxetine).
It’s recommended to avoid or limit the use of alcohol when taking duloxetine. Liver failure has been reported in patients taking duloxetine and the risk is much higher for patients with substantial alcohol use.
All prescriptions are filled at HealthHavenRx - our partner pharmacy and the only pharmacy that can fill prescriptions in our sustainable pouches! If you need to contact them, please call them at the number below.
HealthHavenRx
Toll-Free: 1-877-289-2839
1 Chestnut Street, Suite 3Y
Nashua, NH 03060
A prescription transfer is what happens when you switch pharmacies. During the transfer process our partner pharmacy will contact your existing pharmacy to move your prescription over.
For now, we partner with a cash-pay only pharmacy. In many situations the prices are less than your copay!
Not yet, but we're working on it! In the meantime, you can place and order and get a receipt from your account portal to send in for reimbursement.
Absolutely! Please email our pharmacy team at pharmacist@cabinethealth.com and we'll get right back to you.
Generally, our partner pharmacy can fill most non-controlled, oral dose prescriptions in Cabinet's compostable refill pouches. They currently do not fill liquid, cream, or compounded medications. We'll contact you directly if the pharmacy has any issue transferring your prescription.

by Joanna Tam, Lead Pharmacist, PharmD
Disclaimer: The information on this page is a summary and is not intended to cover all available information about this medication. It does not cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects and is not a substitute for the expertise and judgment of your healthcare professional. Consult your healthcare provider before starting or discontinuing any course of treatment.