Question 1

can cymbalta (duloxetine) cause symptoms of bipolar?

Accepted Answer

Switch To Mania: Any of the commonly used antidepressants across all families including tricyclic, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors, and other novel antidepressant types can induce mania in previously undiagnosed bipolar patients.  Acute signs of mania: increased energy, decreased need for sleep, delusional thinking.

Question 2

if i was bipolar would taking cymbalta (duloxetine) help?

Accepted Answer

That depends.: That depends. Sometimes taking an antidepressant can flip a bipolar patient into hypomania or mania. I do have a number of bipolar patients on antidepressants (including cymbalta) but they are also on either a mood stabilizer or an atypical antipsychotic which is somewhat protective for activation into mania.

Question 3

dr. lowered dose from 60 to 30 cymbalta (duloxetine)...making me to hyper..am bipolar...could 30 possibly work

Accepted Answer

Yes, it could: Unfortunately, it will be trial and error. If you got manic 60 mg a day there's a decent chance that your mood could stabilize at 30 mg today. I've seen it happen in my practice.  The main difficulty that we encounter is that it's impossible to predict. Best wishes.

Question 4

can 60 mg of cymbalta (duloxetine) cause a bipolar patient more anxiety or is the dose perhaps too low?

Accepted Answer

60 mg of : Cymbalta (duloxetine) could possibly cause a bipolar patient to flip into hypomania or mania (which might be interpreted as anxiety).  If you feel worse on Cymbalta (duloxetine) please let your prescribing provider know promptly. Anxiety can occur with  Cymbalta (duloxetine) with or without the  presence of bipolar disorder.

Question 5

i take lithium er 450 3x a day for bipolar 2. i also take cymbalta (duloxetine) 30 mg per day for severe depression. this combination ok to take?

Accepted Answer

Drug interactions: This may increase risk for serotonergic syndrome.  (http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=949-2273,1477-16548).

Question 6

can i take probiotics with my meds for bipolar ii,cymbalta (duloxetine) and lamictal, or does that risk increasing seratonin levels?

Accepted Answer

Probably fine: The major concern with Bipolar medications is the pharmacological interaction that might occur.  Because probiotics act locally in the gut, there is no reason to not take them.  That said, I'm unsure if they will help you in any way ... But they should be ok to take with Cymbalta (duloxetine) &amp; Lamictal.

Question 7

i am experiencing delusions and feeling depressed. i am diagnosed with bipolar type 1. i recently started saphris 10mg at night and cymbalta 30mg. what can i do other than medication to ease these problems while the medicine takes time to work?

Accepted Answer

Therapy, talk: Depression with psychoses poses a dangerous situation. The best protection against impulsive behavior is to  connect with care givers and supportive friends/family daily.Your med visit should be 7-10 days since starting meds. Absolutely avoid alcohol and cannabis.

Question 8

i am experiencing bipolar disorder symptoms on cymbalta. this is my 3rd week taking it, recently switching from prozac. i'm also on adderall. i feel more anxious with mood swings ?

Accepted Answer

Get back to doctor : You need to return to the prescribing doctor for evaluation and discussion of these symptoms with you.

Question 9

klonopin 2.5...cymbalta (duloxetine) 60...lamictal 100...tegretol 600..i am treated for ocd/bipolar...does this sound like a strange or normal combination?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: 1.  With my patients with ocd, I have found that anafranil, luvox, and Lexapro are the most effective.  Cymbalta is excellent for depression and anxiety, but less so for ocd.
2.  Cymbalta 60mgs daily is a good dose for depression, but I have found that 120mgs is better for anxiety.
3. I have not used tegretol for bipolar, but lamictal, Depakote or topamax (topiramate).  Talk to your psychiatrist!

Question 10

have taken klonopin 1.5, tegretol 600, lamictal 100, cymbalta (duloxetine) 60  bipolar-ocd for 8 years-liver functions fine-how long before i have liver problems?

Accepted Answer

Not everybody has it: If for 8 years on all these medications you didn't have issues , it is likely that you will not have anything bad in the future. Also not all the medications in this list cause liver fn. abnormalities.  Get periodic check up of liver enzymes once in 6 months. That should be enough, which  could be ordered by your PCP.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Cymbalta and bipolar

A member asked:

Can cymbalta (duloxetine) cause symptoms of bipolar?

A member asked:

If i was bipolar would taking cymbalta (duloxetine) help?

A member asked:

Dr. lowered dose from 60 to 30 cymbalta (duloxetine)...making me to hyper..am bipolar...could 30 possibly work

A member asked:

Can 60 mg of cymbalta (duloxetine) cause a bipolar patient more anxiety or is the dose perhaps too low?

A member asked:

I take lithium er 450 3x a day for bipolar 2. i also take cymbalta (duloxetine) 30 mg per day for severe depression. this combination ok to take?

A member asked:

Can i take probiotics with my meds for bipolar ii,cymbalta (duloxetine) and lamictal, or does that risk increasing seratonin levels?

A member asked:

I am experiencing delusions and feeling depressed. i am diagnosed with bipolar type 1. i recently started saphris 10mg at night and cymbalta 30mg. what can i do other than medication to ease these problems while the medicine takes time to work?

A member asked:

I am experiencing bipolar disorder symptoms on cymbalta. this is my 3rd week taking it, recently switching from prozac. i'm also on adderall. i feel more anxious with mood swings ?

A member asked:

Klonopin 2.5...cymbalta (duloxetine) 60...lamictal 100...tegretol 600..i am treated for ocd/bipolar...does this sound like a strange or normal combination?

A member asked:

Have taken klonopin 1.5, tegretol 600, lamictal 100, cymbalta (duloxetine) 60 bipolar-ocd for 8 years-liver functions fine-how long before i have liver problems?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?