I have been experiencing severe diarrhea since starting Cymbalta after two weeks. I stopped the drug for 10 days and have noticed improvement. I have also noticed severe increase In my pain level. Has anybody else experience severe diarrhea with cymbalta?
Cymbalta and diarrhea?
Question posted by Betzbill on 15 July 2013
Last updated on 12 March 2024
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.
18 Answers Page 2
Lilac and Azalea
9 Feb 2018
I was on 30mg once a day at first and had explosive diarrhea. Then the doctor had me take it every 36 hours instead of 24; but I still had explosive diarrhea. The doctor gave me a new prescription for 20mg and I was to take it every 36 hours but still having explosive diarrhea. I did not take it this morning.
When I first got Cymbalta I felt so good!! Pain was almost gone and my mood was so much better with less pain. Now the pain is back and my mood is not nearly as sunny; plus I still have explosive diarrhea.
Does anyone know if there is another drug that is close in formulation but without the terrible side effect?
SynisterGrinn
26 March 2018
Hi..
I Recently started Duloxetine (Cymbalta) as well. Started out only 10mg each morning. Started feeling less pain, a bit jittery which lifted, but within hours of taking it... I had hourly visits to the restroom, this went on for over a week. During this time, my hip pain was gone. But, I couldn't leave home due to this diarrhea.
After few days, I wanted to agitate my symptoms trying to confirm it was this new medicine, so I went to 20 mgs in the AM on day 3 or 4 (I think). It may not be ideal for some to do this... for me it confirmed my suspensions that this new med was causing my restroom trips ( plus a soar backside). I was more sick then while on 10mg each AM, more trips, lots of toilet paper.
So I decided to halt all meds for a few days. Just as I thought... pain returned after about 3 days without, and naturally my bowel movements normalized. I was back to "normal".
Pain got so bad again, I couldn't walk more than 400-500 steps ALL DAY. After that, I was done. To painful to walk.
I debated ~ deciding that the first day of increased trips to the restroom was worth a few days of decreased pain. So, after my first round of trying this step, it's working.
After 3 days oof this last Sunday (yesterday) I took only 10mg, and will only take 10mgs every few days.
Try to plan the days you take them (if you can) that way every 3rd -4th day you have close access to a restroom.
My first day back on 10mg was yesterday for me (Sunday). Had about 5 occurrences of bathroom breaks, after that. Nada, nothing. And... so far this AM, very light. Pain is way down too, and I'm seeing an increased sense of focus, which is always a plus.
Hope this helps, as always. Just my experience not a recommendation. Talk with your Drs, and Pharmacists.
Kracker55
4 Feb 2018
Yes I only took it 4 times, 20mg every other day by day 8 I could barely keep a bowel movement in and forget about holding back any gas I had. I was on Lyrica for a month prior to trying Cymbalta and that was a mental hell and even bigger hell to get off of. I stopped the Cymbalta and a week later I'm having somewhat solid bowel movements again even with Imodium and Bentyl to try to make it solid. I am so tired of these antidepressant mind altering dangerous drugs as some answer to the opioids that I used with ZERO issues for the last 7 years. The Government is controlled by big Pharma and Big Pharma can't make any more money on opioids so they must push the latest and greatest scam drug of which they have no clue how it works but it sure makes them money. It's not a war on opioids it's a war on chronic pain patients.
Imacsarah
9 March 2020
Would like to share about my same struggle...
lady2882
15 July 2013
Hi Betzbill
I had severe diarrhea when I took Cymbalta. My doctor convinced me to keep trying it even though at that point the diarrhea had been ongoing for 10 days as he didn't think it was the Cymbalta causing it. Even though I was still in pain he was sure it was going to help.
The diarrhea got worse and I lost 10 pounds in 11 days and my chronic pain started to get worse as well. Turns out you can get rebound pain when taking Cymbalta.
Don't wait too long if you are going to stop taking it as after 4 weeks on you could have some terrible side effects when stopping as I did.
Hope this helps you.
lady2882
15 July 2013
I should add that it took awhile for the diarrhea to completely go away and although I have been off it 15 weeks I still get diarrhea very easily. Guess it's hard on the GI tract.
Betzbill
15 July 2013
Thank you for your information. My doctor said as well and the pharmacist that it could not be from the Cymbalta. I beg to differ about that. I just resumed the cymbalta today at 30 mg. Diarrhea has not completely resolved. If it starts to get worse again I will surely stop immediately. I appreciate your help. I agree with not waiting too long.
Then it will cause withdrawl diarrhea.Yikes! And then I did notice some pain relief from cymbalta . We will hope for the best. Thanks again.
paeche
3 Jan 2014
I have diarrhea too, and this is my 2nd time on cymbalta. First time I took 30mg and this time I'm trying the 20mg. Sure does help with back pain and depression, but I'm not sure I want to live with the side effects. I would continue if I thought they would eventually go away. I worry about the long-term effects of diarrhea.
lady2882
3 Jan 2014
Long term side effects of chronic diarrhea include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, Osteopenia and eventually Osteoporosis.
I have Osteopenia even though I have always been physically active and eaten calcium rich foods. The only reason they can see for my bones to be thinning is that I have always had the diarrhea version of IBS which leaches the calcium out of the body. I wish someone had told me this when I was much younger.
S y
23 March 2017
I have the same problem for two months plus and have finally been taken off cymbalta. My.body is still trying to recover. I would like to have someone who has been through this to add any suggestions.
Maria Hay
19 Aug 2017
I was initially put on 120 mg of Cymbalta or duloxetine. That was five months ago. The result was explosive diaohrrea. I thought I had a stomach bug and never linked it to the medication. After about six weeks, Went to see the doctor who tested me and confirmed that I had no infection.
went on the net and discovered that diaorreah is indeed a side effect. I halved my medication to 60 mg a day. There was no way I was going to give up these meds without a fight because it worked miracles on my moods. So after much research I found some useful ways to deal with it. Half an hour before I take the meds I take 15 ml of silicolgel. I then have a breakfast and I take the meds halfway through. This has helped tremendously. I also take probiotic drink once a day as well as calcium and vit d and also turmeric capsules. It does not resolve the problem 100% as I still have relatively loose stool but it's perfectly tolerable. I also drink vegetable juices for the vitamins. I hope this may help someone for whom diaorreah is the only side effect.
Princess693
22 Sep 2017
I have taken cymbalta 30mg for awhile now and have had severe diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, fatigue, and headaches... I decided to stop taking it on my own and went from laying on the couch all day and running to the bathroom, to stool getting back to normal slowly and feeling much better. I do have IBS so maybe it is worse when you have it?
dianemck213
18 Oct 2017
I just increased my cymbalta dosage to 60 mg once a day, and for the last 3 days I have been going from the couch to the bathroom. I'm so glad I checked this site out for additional side effects of Cymbalta.
I also have IBS and it would seem that Cymbalta makes it worse. I am calling my doctor in the morning to see about trying something else. I also noticed that I keep getting serious hot flashes since I started taking this.
pasuzz
10 July 2018
I didn't have diarrhea but decided the other side effects weren't worth the risk so I just stopped taking it. The side effects of going off were bad for about 2 weeks. Don't go off cold turkey - wean yourself off.
Related topics
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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