Cymbalta, also known as ‘duloxetine’, is a neuropsychiatric medication that can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, peripheral neuropathy, chronic pain syndromes, and other mental disorders.
Cymbalta modulates neurotransmitters like serotonin or norepinephrine by modifying brain regions.
Cymbalta can be used to treat many neuropsychiatric disorders. However, side effects like insomnia, daytime sleepiness and early morning wakefulness are known.
How can you get better sleep when taking Cymbalta
The most effective ways to sleep better when taking Cymbalta are to talk to your doctor to ensure you are dosing correctly, avoid interactions with other medications, take Cymbalta in the morning to avoid insomnia, try light exposure therapy, magnesium, and good sleep hygiene.The rest of this article explains in more detail how to sleep better when taking Cymbalta using 7 of the best doctor-verifiedstrategies. You will also find helpful information about which medications and supplements you should avoid while taking Cymbalta.
1 – Take Cymbalta according to Your Doctor
Cymbalta can only be taken by prescription. You should follow the instructions of your doctor.
You should not miss any doses if it is more than six hours prior to your next scheduled dose. However, you should immediately take the tablet if you are within six hours of the next dose.
Cymbalta can cause side effects if taken in excess.
2 – Increase the Dose Gradually To Avoid Sleep Disturbances
Cymbalta can only be purchased as a prescription drug.
Your doctor may instruct you to increase the dose from the lowest possible level to the desired target over several weeks. However, if you are taking this medication for pain neuropathy or depression it could take many months to reach the desired dosage.
If you experience side effects, you should slow down the titration to the lowest dose that offers you the most clinical benefits.
Cymbalta is prescribed for depression at 30 mg daily. After one week, it is increased to 60 mg. However, if you don’t feel any improvement after six weeks, you should discontinue taking it.
Side effects of Cymbalta, including sleep disturbances, are usually mild to moderate and temporary. However, they will improve as your body adjusts to it.
3: Avoid drug interactions that could impact your sleep
You should consult your doctor before taking Cymbalta. Not only can they interfere with your sleep but they could also cause serious side effects that could even prove to be fatal, such as serotonin syndrome.
Cymbalta inhibits selectively the reuptake serotonin or norepinephrine. Therefore, it can interact with other medications that may alter the neurotransmitter environment of your brain.
Here is a list that you should not take with Cymbalta.
Do not take MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), within two weeks after Cymbalta has been taken. MAOIs inhibit neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine.
Combining MAOI and Cymbalta can lead to serotonin syndrome. This is a potentially fatal condition.
4 – Treat Side Effects of Cymbalta
Cymbalta users experience three major sleep-related side effects: insomnia, somnolence (drowsiness), frequent awakening.
These symptoms are common among patients suffering from depression. It is difficult to determine the cause of the insomnia, since it could be due to Cymbalta, or depression.
These are just a few of the ways you can reduce your sleep problems when you take Cymbalta.
Insomnia
Cymbalta’s most frequent side effect is insomnia. However, there are ways to combat this condition.
To avoid insomnia, it is best to take Cymbalta early in the morning.
Although side effects that can disrupt sleep are usually temporary, some patients may experience insomnia even if they follow a morning regimen and take Cymbalta only twice daily.
Somnolence
When you feel tired during the day, this is called somnolence. It can be caused by insufficient sleep, or changes in neurotransmitter levels.
If somnolence is not due to insomnia, it will resolve on its own. However, if it is severe, medication may be necessary.
Wakefulness-promoting agents such as modafinil or stimulants like methylphenidate can offer clinical benefits, while behavioral strategies such as light exposure therapy, changing position frequently, and physical activity are helpful additions to medicines.
It doesn’t matter what the cause, somnolence impairs your judgement. I recommend that you stop driving, riding, operating heavy machinery, and so on.
Early Awakenings
It is distressing to wake up early and can lead to mental and physical exhaustion. To get enough sleep, you should follow the steps described under “Insomnia”.
Avoid taking medicines that treat sleep disturbances. There are potential side effects. For example, Xanax and Cymbalta can worsen side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or confusion.
Additionally, medication taken with an elderly person can cause impaired thinking, poor judgment, or motor coordination. Therefore, drug therapy should only be used if all other options fail.
5: Treat Side Effects of Cymbalta
Although side effects of Cymbalta do not directly affect the sleep neurobiologically, they can still cause disturbances in the sleep cycle. However, not everyone will experience them all and not enough to justify prescribing medication.
I have listed some side effects of Cymbalta that may affect your sleep. Here are some ways you can avoid them. However, if you experience severe side effects or discomfort, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Headaches:
Cymbalta headaches affect less than 10% of Cymbalta users. They are rarely severe or long-lasting.
Avoid headaches by getting lots of sleep and drinking plenty of fluids. However, if you do experience a headache that disrupts your sleep, take paracetamol tablets to relieve the pain.
