Our alumni program can help you build your sober support network as you connect with other people who are recovering from substance or alcohol use disorder. Many people who are struggling with substance use disorder benefit from our inpatient programs where they are fully supported and can focus 24/7 on their sobriety. For those whose lives do not permit that kind of commitment, we also have an intensive outpatient program that is very successful.

In this article, I’ll talk more about mixing alcohol and Cymbalta, including the risks for your liver and other side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidance on the use of medications, including Cymbalta, emphasizing the is mixing cymbalta and alcohol safe importance of avoiding alcohol while taking certain drugs. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can interact with medications in unpredictable ways. When alcohol and Cymbalta are mixed, the effects on the body and mind can be amplified, potentially causing harm. Cymbalta should never be self-prescribed for alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and should always be used under the direction of a physician. The physician should analyze the benefits and risks that could come from using Cymbalta for alcohol withdrawal symptoms, depending upon your unique circumstances.

What Are the Potential Symptoms of Mixing Cymbalta and Alcohol?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by mental health symptoms, Lightfully’s compassionate psychiatrists can help! Discover how our team can support your journey to a brighter you through medication management, integrating it with your whole-person care plan. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to understand the potential risks and make informed decisions about alcohol consumption while taking Cymbalta. Some people taking Cymbalta have reported that they get drunk instantly and feel terrible after drinking.

Understanding the Risks of Mixing Alcohol with Cymbalta

• This can lead to a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, particularly in children, teens, and young adults.
• Ozempic and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications affect dopamine levels in your brain.
• Healthcare providers can offer personalized guidance based on individual circumstances, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of treatment.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Despite these risks, the decision to consume alcohol while taking Cymbalta is ultimately a personal one that should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional. It is essential for individuals to fully understand the potential consequences and to weigh the benefits against the risks. Open and honest communication with a doctor or mental health provider is crucial in making informed decisions about medication use and lifestyle choices. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

If you are concerned about your alcohol use, talk with a healthcare provider. They can also see if alcohol is interacting with any medications you may be taking. If you drink more alcohol for a longer amount of time, your risk for side effects may be higher. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be treated in various ways, and the best way to address your specific set of circumstances will be decided by your medical team.

Ways a Psychiatrist Can Help With Medication Management for Mental Health

• Do not give Cymbalta to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have.
• The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
• Our residential treatment center provides men and women with various types of therapy and medical support, including family therapy, for a well-rounded treatment experience.
• The safety and effectiveness of CYMBALTA for the treatment of fibromyalgia in patients less than 13 years of age have not been established.
• It is generally believed (though not established in controlled trials) that treating such an episode with an antidepressant alone may increase the likelihood of precipitation of a mixed/manic episode in patients at risk for bipolar disorder.

The pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials in adults with MDD or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 295 short-term trials (median duration of 2 months) of 11 antidepressant drugs in over 77,000 patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidality among drugs, but a tendency toward an increase in the younger patients for almost all drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidality across the different indications, with the highest incidence in MDD. The risk of differences (drug vs placebo), however, were relatively stable within age strata and across indications. These risk differences (drug-placebo difference in the number of cases of suicidality per 1000 patients treated) are provided in Table 1. Suicide is a known risk of depression and certain other psychiatric disorders, and these disorders themselves are the strongest predictors of suicide.

More about duloxetine

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric patients. Perform regular monitoring of weight and growth in pediatric patients treated with CYMBALTA see Adverse Reactions (6.1). Following is a list of adverse reactions reported by patients treated with CYMBALTA in clinical adult trials. In clinical trials of all approved adult populations, 34,756 patients were treated with CYMBALTA. Of these, 27% (9337) took CYMBALTA for at least 6 months, and 12% (4317) took CYMBALTA for at least one year. The pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials in children and adolescents with MDD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 24 short-term trials of 9 antidepressant drugs in over 4400 patients.

While small amounts of alcohol may not negatively affect everyone, the level of risk increases with the amount ingested. It’s crucial to consult your doctor to determine the best course of action and discuss potential dangers and safe drinking amounts. Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) prescribed to treat anxiety and depression. Combining Cymbalta and alcohol may heighten the risk of liver damage, especially in people with a history of heavy drinking or liver problems. It can also worsen side effects such as anxiety and depression, and interfere with treatment by reducing the effectiveness of the medication.

Remember, prioritizing one’s health and seeking support when needed is a sign of strength. Located in New Hampshire, Liberty Health Services offers exceptional medical detox and customized addiction treatment for individuals throughout New England. Our supportive environment and experienced team are dedicated to helping you start your path to long-term wellness and recovery.

Research has found that a low dose of duloxetine may be useful in lessening anxiety-like behaviors and alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant and can cause symptoms of depression or anxiety to become significantly worse. It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain; alcohol may throw off this balance. A small amount ofevidenceindicates that the use of Cymbalta may increase cravings for alcohol. There are anecdotal stories of people experiencing increased intoxication and blackouts when taking Cymbalta with alcohol, but these side effects have not been well studied. Because both act on the brain in similar ways and affect the same chemicals, any side effects that you experience with either Cymbalta or alcohol will likely be worse when these two substances are combined than it would be with just one of them.

GoodRx is not available outside of the United States and therefore, access to the site is blocked. If you are trying to access this site from the United States, please try heading to our homepage or our drug directory. If those pages do not work and you believe you are receiving this message in error, please reach out to Ask your healthcare provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. People who take Cymbalta close in time to an MAOI may have a serious problem called Serotonin Syndrome (see “What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?”). Subgroup analyses did not indicate that there were any differences in treatment outcomes as a function of age or gender.

However, as a general rule of thumb, heavy drinking is considered to be three or more alcoholic beverages per day. Cymbalta is not currently among the FDA-approved drugs used to treat alcohol withdrawal. If you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it is best to consult your physician before deciding on your own to use Cymbalta to deal with your unique challenge. At Liberty Health Services, we are fully aware of the dangers of mixing alcohol and Cymbalta and what it takes to safely detox and recover. Our residential treatment center provides men and women with various types of therapy and medical support, including family therapy, for a well-rounded treatment experience. Clients will work with therapists and their peers in a safe, supervised environment where they will practice coping and communication skills and bond with their peers.