Cymbalta & Fibromyalgia Treatment
The American College of Rheumatology reports that between 3 to 6 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia, a condition that causes a heightened sensitivity to pain. The condition results in tender points on the body in various locations such as the chest, back of the head, and hips. It also causes sleeping disturbances such as insomnia. Though doctors do not fully understand the causes of fibromyalgia, a number of treatments are available to reduce the effects of the condition. These include various prescription medications, including the drug Cymbalta.
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Identification
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Cymbalta is a prescription antidepressant drug with the scientific name of duloxetine hydrochloride. The active ingredient in the drug consists of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, nirogen and chloride atoms, according to RxList. Normally, patients with fibromyalgia receive 60 mg of Cymbalta one time daily.
Function
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Certain chemicals called neurotransmitters affect brain and nervous system function. One such neurotransmitter is serotonin, which affects the sensation of pain, sleep patterns and mood. Another neurotransmitter is norepinephrine, which reacts similarly to adrenaline and typically balances serotonin levels in the body. Cymbalta works by restoring a balance between these two neurotransmitters, which appear to be disrupted in patients with fibromyalgia.
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Expert Insight
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The makers of Cymbalta conducted a study on the effects of the drug upon 541 participants who met the American College of Rheumatology's guidelines for a fibromyalgia diagnosis. At the beginning of the study, the participants utilized a pain rating system to categorize the discomfort that patients experienced from fibromyalgia on a scale of 1 to 10. After taking Cymbalta for six months, participants reported a 50 percent decrease in pain associated with fibromyalgia. The study also revealed higher effectiveness with daily doses of 60 mg of Cymbalta than with lower dosages.
Risks
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The makers of Cymbalta caution that usage of the drug sometimes increases suicidal thoughts and behavior in fibromyalgia patients, particularly those under 24 years of age during the first few months of treatment. In addition, Cymbalta sometimes causes other side effects such as nausea (25 percent of patients), headache (16 percent) and dry mouth (14 percent). Other possible side effects of Cymbalta include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Considerations
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Patients taking certain medications, such as MAOI inhibitors or thioridazine, often experience complications from Cymbalta. The drug is also capable of causing complications in patients with liver problems or diabetes. Because of its effects upon the liver, doctors advise patients using Cymbalta for fibromyalgia to limit alcohol consumption. If you experience any unusual side effects while taking Cymbalta, you should promptly report them to your doctor.
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