Duloxetine
(marketed as Cymbalta) Information
FDA Alert:
SSRIs/SNRI/Triptan and Serotonin Syndrome [issued 7/2006]
A life-threatening condition called serotonin
syndrome can happen when medicines called selective serotonin/norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Cymbalta, and medicines used
to treat migraine headaches known as 5-hydroxytryptamine
receptor agonists (triptans), are used together... More about this FDA Alert
This information reflects FDA’s
current analysis of data available to FDA concerning these drugs.
FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information or
analyses become available.
FDA Alert and Related Information
SSRIs/SNRI/Triptan and
Serotonin Syndrome (7/2006)
A life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome
(serious changes in how your brain, muscles and
digestive system work due to high levels of serotonin in
the body) can happen when medicines called selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Cymbalta,
and medicines used to treat migraine headaches known as
5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists (triptans), are
used together. Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome
include the following:
restlessness
diarrhea
hallucinations
coma
loss of coordination
nausea |
fast heart beat
vomiting
increased body temperature
fast changes in blood pressure
overactive reflexes |
Serotonin syndrome may be more likely to occur when
starting or increasing the dose of an SSRI or a triptan.
This information comes from reports sent to FDA and
knowledge of how these medicines work. If you take
migraine headache medicines, ask your healthcare
professional if your medicine is a triptan.
Before you take Cymbalta and a triptan together, talk to
your healthcare professional. If you must take these
medicines together, be aware of the possibility of
serotonin syndrome, and get medical care right away if
you think serotonin syndrome is happening to you.
Report Adverse Events to
MedWatch
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Date created: May, 2005, updated May 2, 2007 |