I am on 30 mg of Cymbalta for one week now. My question is, How long do cymbalta sexual side effects last? I have lost all interest and ability...
How long do cymbalta sexual side effects last?
Question posted by kobecat76 on 30 July 2012
Last updated on 20 April 2017
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5 Answers
This side effect can go away. Please know I had the same issue. My doctor asked me to be patient. With a caring and patient partner you can overcome these side effects. Having an orgasm does become more difficuly but I repeat it can change. It probably took 6 or more weeks of being on the same dose before things started to change. Try to have a quiet time with no one home and be very relaxed. It was more difficult when I was on the medication but my doctor said no one knows for sure and just give it time. For me it finally reveresed. I did stop the med after a year and it did become a lot easier to have sex again but once things started to feel right on the medication each time was better and better. be patient and good luck I totally understand your fustration.
Sheila
I've been on Cymbalta 60 & 120 mg for years, and although it helps depression, the sexual side effects do not go away. It creates severe problems with ED and inability to achieve orgasm. I'm working with my doctor to find something else. This is just one male's experience.
In my experience with Cymbalta the sexual side-effects did not go away. I now take Remeron(mirtazapine generic), and Wellbutrin(bupropion generic), and these two have NO sexual side-effects that I can tell. This combo actually has improved my sex-life but that may be due, in large part, by lowering my level of depression. I would encourage you to due some research on these two drugs.
Although you are on a low dose of Cymbalta, the sexual side effects are a side effect that will likely not go away. The only common antipderessant that I'm aware that is likely to not have this effect is Wellbutrin. Unfotunately, controlling the depression is the trade off for the sexual side effects. I have accepted that, but can understand if that is unacceptable. Keep in mind that depression can also cause this problem and don't hesitate to discuss this problem with the prescribing doctor.
For me it lasted the entire 6 months I was on it. Hope this helps.
Unfortunetly, this is one side effect that does not go away. The only thing that can really be done is to try a different SNRI type drug (if this one has proven to be effective). I'm sorry to say this as I've been put in the same situation before, and had to switch off quite a few before finding anything that didn't have this side effect.
the entire time i was on it,this was one of the biggest side effects and didn't go away. I switched after holding in for a yr hoping for improvement. but it never came.
yah, my doctor initially prescribed me lexapro, and I had sexual side effects. He told me that there where many side effects that would go away, however this one was one that would not, and the only option was to switch medications. I eventually found pristiq to work out well for me... until it stopped working. I'm now on zoloft, not great, but not as bad as some... for me anyways.
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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