Cymbalta Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an oral antidepressant medication. It’s a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), and it’s used to treat conditions like anxiety and depression.

But Cymbalta can also treat certain types of pain. It’s FDA-approved for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain), fibromyalgia, and chronic muscle or joint pain. Regardless of why you’re taking Cymbalta, it’s important to take the right dose.

Here’s a review of the recommended Cymbalta dosages for each condition it’s approved to treat. Keep in mind that your prescriber may suggest a different dose based on your personal medical history.

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What’s the typical Cymbalta dosage for adults?

The recommended Cymbalta dosage for adults depends on why you’re taking it. It also depends on your age and other health conditions. You can take Cymbalta with or without food, and you should swallow Cymbalta capsules whole. Cymbalta is designed to bypass the stomach and be absorbed in the small intestine. If you open or crush the capsule, the medication can be turned into a toxic substance by your stomach acid, which can cause stomach pain, cramping, and vomiting.

Major depressive disorder

The recommended Cymbalta dosage for depression in adults starts at 40 mg to 60 mg daily. Cymbalta only comes in 20 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg capsules. So you’ll take 20 mg twice a day, 30 mg twice a day, or 60 mg once daily to fall within this range.

In some cases, your prescriber may have you take 30 mg of Cymbalta once daily for 1 week before increasing your dose to 60 mg daily. This helps give your body time to adjust to the medication and reduces the chance of side effects.

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Most people take a Cymbalta dosage of 60 mg daily for long-term treatment of depression. If needed, higher doses are sometimes prescribed. But doses over 120 mg per day aren’t recommended.

Generalized anxiety disorder

The recommended Cymbalta dosage for anxiety in adults under 65 years old starts at 60 mg once daily. In some cases, your prescriber may start you at a lower dosage of 30 mg daily for 1 week before increasing you to 60 mg daily.

For adults ages 65 and older, the recommended Cymbalta dosage for anxiety starts at 30 mg daily for 2 weeks.

If needed, the Cymbalta dosage can be increased up to a maximum of 120 mg daily. But it’s best to only raise the dose by 30 mg at a time.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain)

Neuropathy (nerve pain) happens when nerves are damaged or don’t work properly. It can cause numbness and tingling, heightened sensitivity to pain, and muscle weakness. Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy in the U.S.

The recommended Cymbalta dosage for adults living with diabetic neuropathy is 60 mg by mouth once daily. In some cases, your prescriber may start you with a lower dosage and increase it up to 60 mg over time to help you adjust to Cymbalta. Doses over 60 mg aren’t recommended.

Fibromyalgia

The recommended Cymbalta dosage for fibromyalgia in adults starts at 30 mg once daily for 1 week. If your symptoms improve, you may remain on this dosage. But if your symptoms don’t improve, your prescriber may increase your dose to the recommended amount of 60 mg daily. Higher doses aren’t recommended.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain

Musculoskeletal pain refers to pain that’s in the muscles, bones, or joints. The recommended Cymbalta dosage for fibromyalgia starts at 30 mg once daily for 1 week. Your prescriber may then increase your dose to the recommended amount of 60 mg daily. Higher doses aren’t recommended.

What’s the typical Cymbalta dosage for children?

The Cymbalta dose for children depends on the condition that’s being treated. There are different approved age ranges for each condition. Cymbalta capsules should be swallowed whole. But it comes in another form called Drizalma Sprinkle that’s meant to be opened and mixed into applesauce. This may be a better option if you or your child have trouble swallowing pills.

Generalized anxiety disorder

The recommended Cymbalta dosage anxiety in children aged 7 to 17 years starts at 30 mg once daily for 2 weeks. From there, the dose may be increased up to a maximum of 120 mg daily. But it should only be increased by 30 mg at a time. Most children take between 30 mg and 60 mg for anxiety.

Fibromyalgia

The recommended Cymbalta dosage for fibromyalgia in adolescents ages 13 years and older is 30 mg once daily. If needed, your prescriber may increase the dose to a maximum of 60 mg daily.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

If you have certain medical conditions or take interacting medications, you may need a different dose of Cymbalta. Or you may need to stop taking it altogether.

Dosage for people with liver problems

Cymbalta may cause liver damage in rare cases. If you have symptoms of liver damage (like yellow eyes or skin or severe abdominal pain) after starting Cymbalta, let your healthcare team know immediately. You shouldn’t take Cymbalta if you have cirrhosis or chronic liver disease.

There’s not a different dosage recommended if you have liver problems. But your prescriber will likely have you stop taking the medication if you show signs of new or worsening liver damage.

Dosage for people with kidney problems

If you have kidney disease, you may have trouble breaking down Cymbalta. This could cause higher levels of the medication in the body, resulting in worse side effects. People with severe kidney problems should not take Cymbalta. But it may be okay for people with mild to moderate kidney problems to take it. Your prescriber can help you make this decision.

What happens if you miss a dose of Cymbalta?

It’s normal to forget to take your dose of Cymbalta every once in a while. If this happens, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. You shouldn’t take 2 doses at once.

If you miss several doses of Cymbalta in a row, you may start to feel withdrawal symptoms. This can include headache, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. If you have trouble remembering to take Cymbalta, consider a medication reminder app. And don’t stop taking it on your own — your prescriber can help you lower your dose over time to help you stop Cymbalta safely if needed.

What should you do if you take too much Cymbalta?

If you take an extra dose of Cymbalta by mistake, it likely won’t cause a serious problem. You may feel extra drowsy or have other mild side effects.

But a large amount of Cymbalta at once can cause serious symptoms. These include fainting, seizures, and vomiting. It can even be fatal.

If you or a loved one takes more Cymbalta than prescribed, contact your prescribe or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If you’re experiencing symptoms that seem severe or life-threatening, call 911 or seek emergency care right away.

How to save on Cymbalta

There are many ways to save on Cymbalta, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 95% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic duloxetine's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $10.20 with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Cymbalta’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

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Written by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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