I take 90 mg Cymbalta daily for pain management for Fibromyalgia; my therapist has recommended an anti-depressant for Major Depressive Disorder that is in a Moderate state and has been for 6+ months.
What anti depressant is not contraindicated with Cymbalta?
Question posted by FibrDepr on 14 Jan 2013
Last updated on 16 January 2018
Answers
LaurieShay
14 Jan 2013
Serotonin syndrome is extremely rare and unlikely to occur between Cymbalta and Wellbutrin. I have taken this combo for years and had good results. As Kiasmama has recommended, adding Abilify to your Cymbalta is also an alternative. In fact, I take Abilify as well. Sounds like alot of meds, but it works for me. I'm functioning better now than I did for years before this combination.
FibrDepr
15 Jan 2013
I have looked at the Abilify as suggested and will talk to my doctor on Wednesday about that being added, as well as discussing Wellbutrin, and possibly switching to Effexor for both. I have not looked at an add on of Abilify. I have gained 50 lbs while on Cymbalta as well as being post menopausal and perhaps switching would help him lose this weight as well. I just started the Medifast weight loss plan and perhjaps this change could help me too.
FibrDepr
15 Jan 2013
I meant I have not looked at adding Abilify to Effexor.
Schoendol
17 Jan 2018
I also gained weight with the cymbalta. Same thing 50 lbs. I’m 63 . Now the Dr. prescribed abilify 2mg plus I’m on 120 cymbalta. The interactions of these 2 medications is scaring me. I took my first abilify today. Don’t know now if I should take the abilify?
kaismama
14 Jan 2013
The cymbalta hasn't helped the depression at all? Most antidepressents would carry a caution if used with cymbalta, but many are on 2 with no problem. Or possibly something like abilify would help you.
FibrDepr
14 Jan 2013
I have been on Cymbalta starting at 30 mg and now up to 90 mg for 4 years for pain from Fibromyalgia and no it is not working for the depression. Prozac and all SSRIs, Trycyclics, MAOIs, Wellbutrin, St John's Wort and many other things carry a risk of serotonin syndrome if taken in combination with Cymbalta. This condition can be fatal.
sara12345
14 Jan 2013
You say that is can be fatal. My doctor who has me on 3 meds in conflict for Seratonin syndrome told me that it was very unlikely, but if I got any symptoms to go to the ER where it could be taken care of. That was 4 years ago.
cupcake7667
15 Jan 2013
I have to say you're a champ. I couldn't even handle half the starting dose of cymbalta. Landed me in the ER in five days. It actually made me think I was going crazy, among other things!! I hope you find the right combo. I know lexapro is a fairly benign SSRI. I don't know how the two work together as I'm allergic to SSRI's and SSNI's. Good luck :)))
meg321
15 Jan 2013
I was taking cymbalta and lexapro together for awhile and it was almost fatal for me..I would really like to go back to Lexapro and get off Cymbalta but my Dr. doesn't think its a good idea and my husband doesn't want to find me on the floor like that again and have it be the last time he see's me.
But I had lost 30 lbs on the lexapro and now I am gaining weight back, it was nice not worrying about my weight all the time. I really watch what I take together now though.
kaismama
15 Jan 2013
Serotonin syndrome is far more rare then the literature leads to you believe. I'm on 3 meds that are supposed to cause it and no problems.
sara12345
15 Jan 2013
Thanks kaismama. You said it in stronger way. Yours confirms my previous posting.
meg321
17 Jan 2013
I would hate to take the chance with the cymbalta & Lexapro, my husband found me sitting in the middle of our kitchen floor at 4 AM, nude and had been sick all over the place, he put me back to bed and cleaned up. I still remember nothing that happened, I was also taking trazadone and they took me off that too. It was far too strange for me.
FibrDepr
17 Jan 2013
I saw my therapist and my primary yesterday and both strongly advised against adding Abilify to the Cymbalta. Both advised an add on of Wellbutrin and to continue with my Medifast weight control plan and getting back to exercising in a few weeks as Medifast advises as well. I will see my therapist's recommended psychiatrist in 2 weeks to discuss my options; but at this point I am leaning heavily toward the Wellbutrin add on. My Primary said Effexor would add the same weight as Cymbalta as both target the norepinephrine receptor in addition to the serotonin.
sara12345
17 Jan 2013
To FibrDepr
I really hope that the Wellbutrin will help your depression. That intensifies every pain. If all else fails, an MAO Inhibitor would probably help you, but it is the last one that psychaitrists want to prescribe because you have to keep from eating a number of various foods. But I did it and felt the best that I have ever felt in my life. Just had to stop it after a couple years when I developed a bad side effect.
FibrDepr
17 Jan 2013
I cant take MAOI with Cymbalta which is what I take for the Fibro pain. Thank you, I hope the Wellbutrin helps too!
sara12345
18 Jan 2013
Well at least the Cymbalta helps with your fibromyalgia which is a good thing.
FibrDepr
18 Jan 2013
yes it is although at 90mg I know my time is limited as 120 mg is the max dose; I imagine i will switch to Effexor at that point to see if that will work if they have not come up with anything else new by then.
Sandi H
31 July 2016
I'm glad I read this. I have chronic pain and I've been on Cymbalta 120 mgs for about 6 months. Of course my P doc started me out low-30 mgs. The thing is that while it has worked marvelously on a portion of my back pain, it hasn't touched the other. I just tested positive for Ankylosing Spondylitis and will be seeing a Rheumatologist in Sept. ALSO while it's done a good job for my anxiety, it hasn't cut the depression much. So I'm really thinking I might need something that targets depression more than anxiety and wondered what med would be a good playmate with the Cymbalta.
khill43
9 Feb 2017
So I've been on Cymbalta 20mg for 4 years and it was helping my Fibro and joint/nerve pain wonderfully. I started having panic attacks last year (2016) after falling 2x. The doctor started me on 10mg Lexapro and it worked like a dream! Then a different doc in same practice warned me that those two in combination could cause serotonin poisoning so I had to pick one or the other. So I kept a log and did each one separately and it was extreme in both cases. I had to pick either the excruciating pain that came with the osteoarthritis or the panic attacks I suffered without the Lexapro. I might add that I came off pain meds (5mg Norco 3x/day) for chronic pain so realize that has an adjustment period. So I picked the Cymbalta as I couldn't move without it and suffer panic episodes around 3pm every day like clock work. Have tried yoga, relaxation exercises, physical therapy and chiropractor/acupuncture and nothing is helping me avoid these panic attacks. Any suggestions?
Related topics
cymbalta, depression, pain, fibromyalgia, pain management
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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