Duloxetine, sold under the brand name Cymbalta among others, is a medication used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. It is taken by mouth.
Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, feeling tired, dizziness, agitation, sexual problems, and increased sweating. Severe side effects include an increased risk of suicide, serotonin syndrome, mania, and liver problems. Antidepressant withdrawal syndrome may occur if stopped. There are concerns that use during the later part of pregnancy can harm the baby. It is a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. How it works is not entirely clear.
Duloxetine was approved for medical use in the United States and in the European Union in 2004. It is available as a generic medication. In 2018, it was the 36th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 21 million prescriptions.