Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Duloxetine Cymbalta?

Additionally, if you decide to drink alcohol in moderation while taking Cymbalta, you should do so only after you have been taking the drug for a while. This gives you time to understand how your body reacts to the drug and to find out which side effects you will have from it. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. Because of the risk cymbalta alcohol of liver related injuries, Cymbalta should not be taken in those with a history of substantial alcohol use.

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This article discusses the potential risks of combining Cymbalta and alcohol, including who may have the highest risk of experiencing these effects. Many people who are struggling with substance use disorder benefit from our inpatient programs where they are fully supported and can focus 24/7 on their sobriety. For those whose lives do not permit that kind of commitment, we also have an intensive outpatient program that is very successful. Finally, Granite Recovery Centers offer a uniformed professionals treatment program because we understand the intensely traumatic and stressful nature of their jobs. At Granite Recovery Centers, we gravitate toward the proven 12-step model of treatment made popular by Alcoholics Anonymous. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Cymbalta, you should seek immediate medical attention.

• If you’re having a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
• Furthermore, Cymbalta may interact with other medications or substances, leading to potentially harmful effects.
• Because of the increased depression, the patient may end up experiencing more suicidal thoughts than usual.
• People who drink excessively tend to have “memory blackouts” and “lose time” and don’t know what happened while they were intoxicated.
• Cymbalta and alcohol interaction is a concerning matter for many patients who have only begun taking the drug.
• Among many physical effects that originate in the interaction, Cymbalta and alcohol can also produce additional mental issues or worsen the person’s anxiety and depression.

Dangers of Mixing Cymbalta and Alcohol

Duloxetine, commonly known under the branded name Cymbalta, is a prescription antidepressant classified as a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) 1, 2. It has indicated use for several conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders and chronic pain conditions like diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and musculoskeletal pain 1, 3, 4, 5. Furthermore, Cymbalta may interact with other medications or substances, leading to potentially harmful effects. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking before starting Cymbalta. This will help ensure that there are no potential drug interactions that could jeopardize your health or the effectiveness of the medication.

If you’re on Cymbalta or any medication, it is important to be aware of the potential interactions, side effects, and risks involved when used with alcohol. When it comes to the dangers of mixing Cymbalta and alcohol, it is essential to understand the immediate and long-term risks involved. While the immediate risks can cause discomfort and impair one’s ability to function properly, the long-term risks can have more severe consequences on both physical and mental health. Cymbalta is a medication used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy. Alcohol should not be consumed with this drug as the combination of the two can cause liver damage.

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In such cases, comprehensive treatment strategies that address both substance use and underlying mental health issues are necessary for recovery and well-being. Moreover, the interaction between Cymbalta and alcohol can impact liver function. Both substances are metabolized in the liver, and concurrent use may strain this vital organ. Heavy alcohol consumption, in particular, can increase the risk of liver damage, while Cymbalta may also affect liver enzymes.

Common Side Effects of Cymbalta:

Duloxetine is an antidepressant, which means that it will work to help and try to get the patient to come out of the depressive state, and it does that well. But, on the other hand, spirits are a known central nervous system depressant. That means that it may make the depression worse, even if it’s for short periods.

• SNRIs help boost the action of brain messenger chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine.
• We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders.
• Alcohol is a sedative that increases the release of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, in the brain.
• Combining the two could potentially lead to liver toxicity or other complications, especially in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions.
• One of the most alarming risks of combining Duloxetine with alcohol is the potential for liver damage.
• She has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years, Shannon’s experience ranges from critical care to flight nursing, medical detox, sexual assault exams, and SWAT nursing.
• Let’s take a closer look at these medications and explore their key differences.

Be sure to ask whether or not it is okay to drink or take other medications while you are taking Cymbalta. Your doctor can also inform you about the potential dangers of mixing Cymbalta and alcohol. If you are taking Cymbalta and want to know if having a drink or two is safe, talk to your doctor. Because they understand your situation and history, they can make recommendations based on your needs and health.

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders

So even though alcohol doesn’t lead to worsening of mental or motor impairment, it can end up canceling out the effects of the drug, or at the very least, decreasing its efficacy. Alcohol in the body works the opposite way of the drug and can worsen the situation. Since ethanol is a depressant, too, it can worsen the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Because of the increased depression, the patient may end up experiencing more suicidal thoughts than usual.