I've been on Cymbalta for close to 2 years for musculoskeletal pain from RA and SLE. I have extreme bouts of uncontrollable sweating even after all this time. I thought it was going to be a temporary side effect that I would eventually get over. Now, here I am... 23 months later and still miserable. I imagine it is what menopause would be like. I am 37 and not near menopause according to my labs. The actual temperature has little to do with my symptoms. I would hate to have to come off of this but I can't imagine another Georgia summer this way. These episodes just come on with little to no exertion. No new meds since beginning this and jaw-clenching and sweating have been apparent since. Any suggestions?
Does anyone have sweating with Cymbalta (duloxetine)?
Question posted by erika8579 on 23 March 2017
Last updated on 26 June 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
20 Answers Page 2
Kittenwoman
15 April 2017
I have the same side effect. It was unmanageable in the beginning , didnt want off it like you , was asked to keep on a bit longer and it would settle down. im on week 8 now , not as many but still sweats , im only on a small dose 60 mg but gradually as the sweats lesson my pain is worse so needing to up this drug. Was told would have to come off it if they didn't calm down. So its as of next week when GP back , its up the drug or its coming off it ..Dreading going back to struggle out of bed if off it ...
Judyrae59
12 Jan 2022
Hi, I just saw your post, and I am sorry.
I'v been on Cymbalta/Duloxetine since 2013 and the sweating is not getting better, it's getting worse, the lower chronic back pain is worse and it has done nothing for MY depression.
January 1, 2022 , I decided to start self wiening myself off of Cymbalta/Duloxetine. I started with 10 beads for 3 days, then 15 beads for 3 days, then 20 beads for 3 days with nothing more than being nausea and I take meclizine for that. It's what's in Dramamine and works great. Oh, and I don't have much of an appetite.
I then forgot to take my Cymbalta for the last 2 days and other than being nausea and still sweating I'm doing much better than I thought I would.
I've read so many "HORROR" stories of people self- wiening off of Cymbalta/Duloxetine that I wondered if I could do it,. I'm 64 and well past menopause.
Since I forgot to take my Cymbalta for 2 days in a row without any severe reactions, I've decided not to take any more Cymbalta/Duloxetine and I'm doing way better than I thought I would. I do sleep a lot, try to keep my life as stress free as possible and that isn't easy. I drink a lot of water, eat plenty of fresh fruits, eat a ton of the "probyotic" yogurt, take a multi vitamin/mineral tablet everyday and pay attention to ME and how I'm feeling and listening to MY BODY. Not always an easy thing to do when you are married to a man who thinks you are "faking" a lot if it and believes YOU should put HIS NEEDS FIRST, BUT I'M DOING IT!! ONE HOUR AT A TIME, ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!
The strangest side effects I do have are extremely weird, vivid, full color, unforgettable dreams. The type of dreams I've never had, I don't want to have and I don't want to remember.
I have an appointment with my pain management doctor in March, so I will see what he says. I most definitely need an antidepressant, but not Cymbalta/Duloxetine, Prozac or Effexor. None of these work, I've tried rhem. And as long as I am on Cymbalta/Duloxetine, I can't take another antidepressant.
I'm trying to wien myself off of as many prescription drugs as possible as I believe they are half of my problems.
I have been on far to many prescription drugs for far to long. Due to some of my health issues there are some prescription drugs I MUST take whether I want to or not.
For all of you who are fighting to get off Cymbalta/Duloxetine, YOU CAN DO IT & YOU WILL MAKE IT! TAKE IT ONE HOUR AT A TIME.
BLESSINGS,
Judy
Loveandfaith98
15 April 2017
I would sweat a lot while on this medication for no reason. I also noticed that I would be very foggy headed and I would forget a lot.
srandjlsims
15 March 2018
You need to get with your doctor, if you haven't already because Cymbalta is supposed to work towards helping Fibro symptoms not cause them.
SweetLuck
24 March 2017
Yes! I dislike the sweating it causes so much. My clothes will get wet and stick to me even in winter. It's uncomfortable. I don't want to go off it either as withdrawal from it is a nightmare (at least it was for me the one time I did stop) but you could consider switching antidepressants after researching others. Also, Gabapentin is used for hot flashes (I know they're not hot flashes but excessive sweating) off label if you might want to consider that. Good luck.
chuck1957
23 March 2017
Ericka; depending on how this medication is working for you talk to the doctor about the sweating problem, Sometimes they can give you something to counteract that prior to changing the medication if it is working well for you. But this is a common side effect. Some it does go away and others it keeps up. Don't worry check with your doctor and let her or him know what is going on and see what their answer is. There are others very similar to Cymbalta that may not cause the sweats. Best of luck
srandjlsims
23 March 2017
I have menopausal and Cymbalta sweating, its truly miserable, however, I got put on Buspar/Busparin. I know it will seem like just one more pill, but I can't live without Cymbalta, literally, so the Buspar is a miracle worker. Last summer was NORMAL! LOL!
khester1030
15 March 2018
I'm on Cymbalta 60 mg & have been for about 5 years now for anxiety. It does the job but my night sweats are something else. I wake up covered from head to toe in sweat (even in the winter with 2 fans going). Were you put on the Buspar/Busparin while taking Cymbalta & the sweats stopped?
Hernandez17
28 April 2021
I’ve been on cymbalta for 6-7 years. I sweat every day even in winter. I can’t be without cymbalta either. I’m going to check with my doctor about buspar. Thank you.
Related topics
cymbalta, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperhidrosis, anxiety, pain, hot flashes, duloxetine, chronic pain, systemic lupus erythematosus, musculoskeletal
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.