Duloxetine is a type of medicine that is used to treat depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, joint pain, and more. It is available in both generic and brand-name drugs, and its brand name is Cymbalta. But what if I say that your relaxing medicine has some toxic chemicals? Shocking right? The Food and Drug Administration has recalled the medicine as harmful as it has the presence of N-nitroso-duloxetine, a cancer-causing chemical. Let’s learn everything about the chemical:
What is Duloxetine?
Duloxetine is an oral capsule that is a recommendable medicine to treat diabetic nerve pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, depression, anxiety, stress, and more. The medicine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SSNRI). It affects the brain’s chemicals by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
Furthermore, serotonin and norepinephrine are the hormones that are responsible for regulating mood and reducing pain. Even an excellent doctor prescribes the medicine for the treatment. If you have issues such as bipolar disorder, glaucoma, high blood pressure, seizures, pregnancy, or liver or kidney diseases must inform the doctor.
Uses and Side-effects
Duloxetine is used to relax your mood by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels. But, due to its chemicals, it has major side effects. Let’s cover both one by one:
Uses:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Depressive disorder
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Side effects:
Some of the common side effects of Duloxetine are:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Feeling dizzy
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Laziness
- Loss of appetite
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dry Mouth
- Tiredness
- Decreased weight
Some of the serious side effects of Duloxetine are:
- Confusion
- Easy bleeding/bruising
- Decreased interest in sex
- Changes in sexual ability
- Muscle cramps
- Shaking (tremor)
- Difficulty urinating
- Eye pain
- Blood in vomiting
- Blood in pee
- Feelings of Euphoria
- Hallucinations
Furthermore, if you are not feeling well after taking the medicines, please call 108 (Emergency Medical Response Ambulance Service). If you are pregnant and having the side effects, call 102. In some cases, you can have some allergic reactions:
Serious Allergic Reactions
- Swelling on the mouth, throat, or tongue
- Struggling while breathing
- Struggling while swallowing
- Skin, tongue, hands, soles, or lips turn blue, grey, or pale
- Drowsy or dizzy
- skin rash
- Itching
- Hives
- Vomiting blood
- Tar-like stools
- Red or dark brown urine
Dosage
Here are the dosages of Duloxetine that you should be aware of, as it can cause severe side effects, so let’s check them out:
Dosage for the treatment of anxiety
- First Dose: 30 mg once a day for 2 weeks minimum
- Maintenance dose: 60 mg once a day
- Highest dose: 120 mg/day
Dosage for the treatment of depression
- First Dose: 20 mg to 30 mg twice a day
- Maintenance dose: 60 mg per day, given either once a day or 30 mg twice a day
- Highest dose: 120 mg per day
Dosage for the treatment of fibromyalgia
- First Dose: 30 mg once a day for at least a week
- Maintenance dose: 30 to 60 mg once a day
Dosage for the treatment of pain
- First dose: 30 to 60 mg once a day
- Maintenance dose: 60 mg once a day
Dosage for the treatment of neuropathic pain
- First dose: 30 to 60 mg once a day
- Maintenance dose: 60 mg once a day
Dosage for the treatment of chronic pain
- First dose: 30 to 60 mg once a day
- Maintenance dose: 60 mg once a day
Why is Duloxetine So Harmful?
Duloxetine is one of the most recommendable drugs to treat health-related physical and mental conditions. But on October 10, 2024, the reports of the National Library of Medicine say, the chemical included in the drug is highly toxic if once swallowed can cause cancer. CBS MoneyWatch, the FDA released a notice that patients who have been taking the medicine can look for alternatives by talking to professionals.
Moreover, Towa Pharmaceutical Europe manufactures the drug, which comes under the brand Cymbalta. According to the agency, the drug contains a chemical named, nitrosamine that contains impurity. Furthermore, later, the FDA released a statement that “a person who can regularly take Duloxetine has a higher number of chances of developing cancer.”
On the statement of the FDA, Towa Pharmaceutical Europe manufacturers responded, “With potential nitrosamine, impurities should not stop taking their medications by doctor’s prescription.”
Bottom Line
Many drugs are available in the market that contain high amounts of impurities. So, it is important to follow the doctor’s prescription. Similarly, Duloxetine is a drug used for the treatment of neuropathic pain, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, joint pain, and more. Although it has many side effects, doctors recommend this medicine in adequate amounts.
Recently, the FDA recalled 7,000 drug bottles as they contain impurities and toxic chemicals such as nitrosamine. In addition, the drug contains the potential to cause cancer. Towa Pharmaceutical responded that every medicine contains nitrosamine. However, what’s more important is to follow the doctor’s prescription.
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