Duloxetine and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Cym...
• March 6, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I’ve been on Cymbalta for 4 months, and my psychiatrist recently added Wellbutrin for fatigue. It reduces my pain significantly. It’s not as “happy” of an antidepressant as Zoloft, but I prioritize minimizing the symptoms of my fibromyalgia. It’s the only health condition I have besides a minor bulging disc and DDD in my lower back that mostly doesn’t cause people pain, and I'm 45 lbs overweight. I will update as I keep taking it, but honestly, I’m holding on to Cymbalta and Wellbutrin for dear life as long as it works. IDC if I never come off it. I’m working on getting back to work and believing in myself again. Side effects so far are constipation and sweating like I got rained on. I also noticed a significant decrease in my normally high sex drive, which is good. My goal to help this work as long and as well as possible is to get myself to a healthy weight and take care of myself strictly."

• Non...
• November 7, 2009

Duloxetine for Fibromyalgia "I had very little pain reduction with this medication. I was taking it at 120 mg/day by the time I was switched. I had very little side effects, but it did affect my libido and sexual performance. I also found I did not have much creative drive while I was on the medication, which was one of the primary reasons I asked to be switched. It might have reduced my pain by a point on the 1-10 scale, but that simply wasn't worth it, especially at a $320/mo cost with no insurance."

• Non...
• November 7, 2009

Duloxetine for Fibromyalgia "I had very little pain reduction with this medication. I was taking it at 120 mg/day by the time I was switched. I had very little side effects, but it did affect my libido and sexual performance. I also found I did not have much creative drive while I was on the medication, which was one of the primary reasons I asked to be switched. It might have reduced my pain by a point on the 1-10 scale, but that simply wasn't worth it, especially at a $320/mo cost with no insurance."

• han...
• December 18, 2015

For Anxiety "I have been taking this for two weeks now, the initial side effects as my body 'got used' to it have been horrible. Feel sick, don't feel hungry, pupils are oddly dilated, can't sleep, feel tired and energyless, no sex drive at all, dizzy, headaches, etc. My joint pain is pretty much gone, and so is my anxiety, but I'm really not sure which is better at the moment!"

• Tan...
• February 22, 2011

Duloxetine for Depression "I really like it! No sexual side effects at all! I have been on several other antidepressants, and this is the only one without sexual side effects I have tried. I did not notice any side effects going on it. I was going off Effexor at the same time, going off the Effexor was hard. Brain zaps! I have no complaints about this med. I am on the highest dose, 120 mg, started at 30 mg."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2011

Duloxetine for Anxiety "I am taking 60 mg of Cymbalta for anxiety and depression. Previously, I had been on Lexapro (which gave me nightmares) and Paxil, which worked for a time but sent me into a relapse when I was weaned off of it. I have noticed a few side effects - the most predominant one is that it makes me very tired. I don't have much of an appetite, but when I do, I crave sweets and have put on a few pounds as a result. Very little sex drive, though it was low to begin with. Although the medication has helped to keep my anxiety at a manageable level, my general mood has been very blank - I feel very little in the way of happiness or sadness. My doctor has suggested either switching to a higher dose (120 mg) of Cymbalta or changing to Zoloft or Paxil."

• Taw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2021

For Depression "One of the worst drugs I've taken in my long battle with depression. No positive effects, but a long list of negative side effects, including zero libido, increased suicidal thoughts, and short-term memory impairment. Took it for 3 months, do not recommend..."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2011

Duloxetine for Depression "I took Cymbalta for about 3-4 months. I had major side effects. I tried taking it at night, but I couldn't sleep. Switched to the mornings, and I also had tingling all over, sexual side effects, worsened my suicidal thoughts. The only good thing about it is I totally had no appetite whatsoever. I lost 15 lbs. I have since quit taking Cymbalta."

• AJP...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2022

For Depression "Took various dosages over my 2 years on duloxetine. It worked quite well for about a year for my depression, then pooped out. It was very effective for anxiety, but sexual dysfunction and emotional blunting were quite debilitating. Withdrawals have been absolutely awful. If I had known about them prior to starting the drug, I would have never started this medication."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2018

For Depression "I went on duloxetine for my severe anxiety, daily panic attacks, and depression to the point of having a suicide plan. To say I was almost unable to function is an understatement. I had just started a new job where my daily stress and anxiety level was through the roof. I started this drug at 20 mg for one week. I had a rapid heartbeat for about five days, but immediately noticed a reduction in my anxiety and no more panic attacks. I went to 40 mg for a week and then finally 60 mg, which is where I've stayed for two weeks now. My depression is almost gone, and I finally feel like my real, happy, functioning self again. My anxiety is always present, especially when I'm around people, but it no longer controls me. I can manage it with self-talk and deep breathing. This drug saved my life. A bonus is it helped with the chronic shoulder pain I have. There are sexual side effects, and I cannot climax as quickly or strongly as before. But for what I've gained? It's absolutely worth it."

• sen...
• May 21, 2011

Duloxetine for Depression "It worked pretty good for a while. Didn't stop the suicidal urges, but it was better than other antidepressants I tried. I had to have the dose increased over time to 90 mg to keep getting the same effect, and then it quit working entirely after a couple of years, leaving only the side effects to contend with. Reaching orgasm was pretty difficult, and sometimes I would only be able to once every week or two. It took 3 months to taper off of this, withdrawal was troublesome but not impossible to deal with."

• Zub...
• November 5, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I have been using duloxetine for a couple of months for fibromyalgia. I didn't have any initial side effects. It has helped me enormously with the muscle pain and spasms. The downside is it has lowered my libido, I'm fatigued, and I have weight gain. As I am also menopausal, it's a bit hard to tell what is causing some of the side effects. The lowering of the libido is definitely a side effect of duloxetine. Not sure if I will continue on this medication."

• BJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I can't believe this med, duloxetine, is being prescribed for bipolar disorder. I am taking it for depression/panic disorder. And it is only making my anxiety worse. I have to take Klonopin, even if I don't like it. On 40 mg and will be decreasing to 20 mg for a few days to see if the medication is making anxiety worse. My side effects are feeling sleepy and tired as well, weird dreams, nausea, and sexual problems. Trying a low dose of Klonopin with Lamictal. Depakote is better, but Lamictal isn't a big weight gainer. Trying something new as well, but very controversial. I am taking a low dose of Adderall as well. Hoping a low dose of duloxetine with Lamictal, Adderall, and Klonopin will alleviate some panic attacks and restore my sleep. Yes, Adderall does help a little. But be careful, Adderall can cause psychosis in some patients. Be careful. Talk to your doctor."

• sgj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2021

For Depression "This is the best antidepressant I have been on. I take 60 mg a day and feel happy and not tired. My anger has gone as well. Side effects are loss of sex drive and strange dreams when you first start taking it or miss a dose."

• try...
• November 13, 2010

Duloxetine for Depression "Started on 30 mg for about 3 months, not much help. Upped to 60 mg, no help. Now on 90 mg for one month, and my depression is even worse than it was. I slipped into a major down a few days ago, one of the worst I've had in years and have yet to bounce back from it. I have had mild brain zaps here and there since going to 90 mg. Anyway, I am guessing my psychiatrist will try something different. I have tried Lexapro (helped me for many years, then seemed to stop working), Wellbutrin (made me very irritable), and Pristiq (did nothing except lower my libido and give me a little bit of energy)."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2022

For Anxiety "Duloxetine gave me my life back! I began experiencing debilitating anxiety that turned into depression for about four months before starting this drug. I was having anxiety attacks every day, bursting into tears at work and home, and my anxiety was significantly interfering with my life. I was hesitant to go on an antidepressant but decided to try Prozac, which was AWFUL! I had nausea combined with EXTREME depression and panic disorder on Prozac. I had to take FMLA off work because my anxiety and depression got so severe I couldn’t function. It was the worst experience of my life! The doctor stopped the Prozac after a month and started me on Cymbalta. After one week, I felt the darkness lifting. Now it’s been two months, and I am the happiest I have ever been! I have my energy and confidence back and feel like “me”! Only side effects are sexual and some night sweats, but I’ll take that over falling back into the black hole I was in. If other SSRIs haven’t worked for you, try duloxetine!"

• Reg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2016

For Depression "I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety almost 20 years ago. Before I was on Cymbalta, I was on Zoloft for about 8 years, and it had the dreaded developed tolerance effect (it gradually stopped working). I was then put on Cymbalta, which worked great for about another 8 years. Then the breakthrough symptoms started again, so my doctor suggested I go up (from 60 mg/day) to 90 mg a day. And although this worked great for managing the anger, irritability, and anxiety, I completely lost my libido and any ability whatsoever to have an orgasm. I am back down to 70 mg/day and having to augment with Buspar. Still having anger and irritability, however."

• Reg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2016

For Depression "I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety almost 20 years ago. Before I was on Cymbalta, I was on Zoloft for about 8 years, and it had the dreaded developed tolerance effect (it gradually stopped working). I was then put on Cymbalta, which worked great for about another 8 years. Then the breakthrough symptoms started again, so my doctor suggested I go up (from 60 mg/day) to 90 mg a day. And although this worked great for managing the anger, irritability, and anxiety, I completely lost my libido and any ability whatsoever to have an orgasm. I am back down to 70 mg/day and having to augment with Buspar. Still having anger and irritability, however."

• ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Duloxetine might have curbed anxiety a little bit, but side effects were intolerable. I had brain fog, memory issues, weight gain (15 lbs in 6 months), and inability to orgasm that made me slowly taper off of it. Because you have to slow taper, withdrawal symptoms are notorious for Cymbalta."

• Gus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2023

For Depression "I've tried many SSRIs before, and most made me lazier and worsened my sex life quite a bit (even though it made my anxiety better). I have scoliosis and chronic lumbar pain, so I gave duloxetine a try. With 30 mg daily, my pain miraculously improved by at least 50%, which I thought was impossible, since I'd tried everything before. The anxiolytic effect is inferior to most SSRIs, but so are the sexual side effects and laziness. Today I feel more awake, have no side effects, and much, much less lumbar pain. 10/10"

• Dil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2022

For Depression "Left eye stays dilated (anisocoria), blurry vision, difficulty reading close at 30 mg dose. Less problematic at 15 mg (half doses) while still having some benefits. (I have a light body weight.) Typical sexual side effects 4 hours after taking. Relief from depression started at twice the duration after sexual side effects (only 8 hours), but mood benefits increased after a few days of consistent use. I loved the tingling and tickling feelings and numbness that relieved pain."

• bre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 18, 2013

Duloxetine for Back Pain "Good for my mood swings. Evens me out mentally. Anxiety decrease. Decrease of libido 90%."

• pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2012

Duloxetine for Depression "Have been on 30 mg for one week and 60 mg for 2 weeks, still no improvement in my depression, have lots of side effects like a very spaced-out feeling at times, no motivation, low libido."

• ace...
• March 10, 2009

Duloxetine for Anxiety "This has caused multiple sexual side effects, urinary retention, almost constant hot flashes, and sleep problems. It did nothing for my anxiety. There were no benefits to me from this drug."

• 47m...
• August 27, 2009

Duloxetine for Peripheral Neuropathy "Caused a decrease in sex drive and harder to maintain an erection."