Cymbalta - Has anyone been diagnosed with anemia after being on Cymbalta?

Yes. This happened to me.
Get a DNA test to see if your body is metabolizing it properly. My genetics make me drug resistant and my liver has a lesion now. Once off the medication, I began to recover. Get your dna checked.
My genetic test revealed
MTFHR C677T
My observations from taking medication.
Slowed my metabolism, Gerd, central sleep apnea, bloating, brain fog, confusion, exhaustion, depression, anxiety, and I didn't heal properly. All gone after I quit taking.
I also noticed certain foods had an impact on my metabolism and medication side effects. Good luck.

I have been taking Cymbalta for three years. My iron and B12 have dropped to dangerous levels, but my NP is scratching her head and is currently consulting other docs. I have a virtual appointment with the doc that prescribes the Cymbalta and discuss. Will also speak with my NP. My skin has begun peeling also. Any one having that problem?

So glad to have found this thread. Thanks all.

I was just diagnosed with severe anemia (hemoglobin 7) after one year of taking 60 mg Cymbalta daily. I started taking iron. I’m sure my doctor will not agree that it’s from the Cymbalta. So glad to see this question after 3 days of “research “.

I know this was a long time ago- but I have been on Cymbalta for about a year & 1/2 have been fighting chronic anemia for the past year. 3 units of blood, 2 rounds of iron- all the tests to look for blood loss have found NOTHING. I am not able to hold iron. Did you ever find any correlation?

I'm also relieved to read this as I've searched information on duloxetine/cymbalta and haven't found anything on anemia related to duloxetine. I've never previously had any issues with my iron or haemoglobin levels until I started taking 60mg duloxetine/cymbalta daily 1.5 years ago for neuropathic pain/nerve damage. I've drastically increased my iron intake and take iron supplements but still my iron levels keep dropping so I require iron infusions atleast every 6 months. Obviously, since reading so many people experiencing the same issue, the link between duloxetine and anemia should be investigated further.

"Hematologic
Concomitant use of aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin, and other anticoagulants may increase the risk of bleeding events associated with duloxetine (the active ingredient contained in Cymbalta) [Ref]

Postmarketing reports: Life-threatening hemorrhage, blood dyscrasias"

Hi everyone! I sure hope this can help! I'm post-menopause and over the past 2 years have had severe nerve pain from vulvodynia and lack of estrogen. For the last 6 months I've been taking 120 mg of Cymbalta and 1200 mg of gabapentin. Since doing that I have found significant pain relief! So I have good Western doctors and I also go to a doctor of naturopathy to help me balance vitamins with meds. She uses electrodermal screening mostly. She told me that The Cymbalta, though helpful with pain, was throwing my body off by interfering with my ability to absorb iron. She felt strongly that if I just take half-teaspoon of BLACK-STRAP MOLASSES each day that everything would balance out. Apparently the molasses has highly absorbable iron and other good things in it. We will check levels in 6 months so hopefully that could be a good trick. Here's hoping! And here's hoping this can help all of you!

Yes! I've been taking cymbalta for over a year (60mg) for lupus and major depression. I was just diagnosed with severe anemia. I have to have iron infusions. My iron stores were undetectable. I've never had issues with anemia before. They are trying to figure out the cause now.

Cymbalta caused anemia in me also. I went to two different doctors with complaints of extreme exhaustion and dizziness for months.I finally asked for a blood paneI which revealed an extremely low iron level. I was hospitalized and given a transfusion.
After doing some online research, I stopped taking the Cymbalta. Iron levels stayed normal after that and I went back to taking Zoloft.

I've been diagnosed with severe anemia so badly now that I require weekly blood transfusions as well as iron infusions. I've been on cymbalta for at least 8 years. It's strange because no doctor has been able to give me a reason as to why this is happening. G.i.as well as hemo/oncologists drs can find no bleeds, cancers or bone marrow problems. Any thoughts would greatly help.I've had problems for 4/5 years each worse than the last.

YES! I was so relieved to see this after researching anemia all day. Both my doctor and i were quick to blame perimenopausal bleeding but after reading this, i am going to report this phenomenon to Lilly. They have to report it in their PI if they get several people reporting it. I am so tired all the time from low ferratin, and low red blood cells. I have been on a low dose of cymbalta for about 4 or 5 years now and I am getting concerned that Lilly doesn't have alot of data on long term use. Now they will. Im anemic and it's dangerous and debilitating. That needs to be known. Cymbalta is the only med I take.

Hi Cloud751,
I took Omeprazole (taken for acid reflux) for 10 years and suddenly my blood tests came back with my having anemia. I have not eaten red meat in 30 years so that was not the problem. Went off the omeprazole and no more anemia on the blood tests. This is the most assured way, in my opinion, to check if it is the Cymbalta but then I don't know if you can be off your medication for a while. I also found the omeprazole interfered with Vitamin D so medications do cause these problems.
Good Luck,
Anne

Hmmm, could it be you are not eating enough of the right things? I am not much of meat eater, but have too because of anemia. Had steak last night as a matter of fact! Red meat will help some, & ferrous glutonate. The other kind will cause you to get constipated. Ferrous oxide I believe. Has your doctor mentioned what you red cell count is? Just my thoughts... Mary

Cloud, this is what I found on the site Cymbalta side effects for Professionals: Hematologic
Hematologic side effects including anemia, leukopenia, increased white blood cell count, lymphadenopathy, and thrombocytopenia have been reported infrequently.
I would take Pledge's advice and report it to FDA and your doc. (Pledge always has good advice)! I have been on Cymbalta about 5 weeks (120mg) and so far have no bad effects (yah!). I wish you luck and hope this helps. Lisa Z.

Hello Cloud751. I did some looking up on your question and have so far found nothing. Meaning that anemia might be caused by taking Cymbalta. I looked up all the pre manufactureres testing done and nothing came up. I also checked two other sources and found the same, nothing. You can on this site, link to the FDA and report whats happened. Also, the manufacturer (Eli Lilly) would also be interested in this. I'll do some more research and if I find anything, I'll add it here. Best regards,pledge