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Cymbalta Side Effects & Insomnia

Cymbalta is an antidepressant used to treat major clinical depression. It also is used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disorder which mainly affects feet and hands. Insomnia is a common side effect, and numerous other side effects have been reported as well. In addition, Cymbalta interacts with several other drugs.

  1. Insomnia

    • According to eMedTV, up to 16 percent of Cymbalta users report insomnia as a side effect. This includes difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night and waking up too early.

    Questions

    • Researchers have been unable to determine if this insomnia is caused by Cymbalta or by the underlying depression, or by uncomfortable effects from neuropathy.

    Other Side Effects

    • Other side effects include appetite changes, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. In addition, Cymbalta can cause dizziness, fatigue, headache, sleepiness, tremors, urinary problems and weakness.

    Considerations

    • People with glaucoma should not use Cymbalta, and it generally should not be taken during pregnancy.

    Warning

    • In clinical studies, antidepressants have increased the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders such as depression. Cymbalta has not been studied with this age group, and is not approved for treating anyone under 18 years of age.

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