Does Cymbalta Cause Weight Gain?

Gaining weight is something many people try to avoid. This is especially true as overweight and obesity are becoming more common health conditions. Gaining too much weight can also raise the risk of other health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. You may have heard that some medications can cause weight gain, and this is true. Cymbalta (duloxetine) is one example of a medication that can cause weight gain as a side effect.

It may surprise you to read Cymbalta tends to actually cause some weight loss at the beginning of treatment. But taking higher doses (60 mg twice a day), or taking lower doses over a longer period of time (1 year or longer), can lead to weight gain. For most people, the amount of weight gain from Cymbalta is minimal, but it can still be bothersome.

In this article, we’ll talk about what to expect regarding Cymbalta weight gain. We’ll also review some things you can do to help prevent or reverse this side effect.

What is Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It’s taken by mouth — usually once a day — and can treat different conditions like: 

• Depression

• Anxiety 

• Diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain from diabetes)

• Fibromyalgia

• Long-term muscle pain

SNRIs are a class of antidepressant medications. They work by raising levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers in the brain. This helps boost the effects from these chemical messengers, which, in turn, helps regulate mood and relieve certain types of pain.

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Healthcare providers often prescribe Cymbalta for adults, but they can prescribe it to treat anxiety for children, ages 7 and older, as well.

Does Cymbalta cause weight gain?

It depends. The labeling for Cymbalta lists both weight gain and weight loss as side effects. In one study, weight loss was a short-term side effect and weight gain was a long-term side effect (for those who took Cymbalta for more than 1 year).

Another study found a similar trend. People who took Cymbalta had some weight loss for the first 5 months. After that, people generally experienced weight gain for the rest of the 2-year study.

Meanwhile, a study of veterans found that people who took both Cymbalta and nerve pain medication Lyrica (pregabalin) had weight gain. But those who took just Cymbalta reported weight loss. People in this study took at least 60 mg of Cymbalta per day.

Weight loss is also a side effect that can happen in children taking Cymbalta. In several 10-week studies of children with both depression and anxiety, between 14% and 16% of children taking Cymbalta lost weight. Weight gain isn’t listed as a reported side effect for children in Cymbalta’s labeling. The manufacturer recommends regularly monitoring weight for children taking this medication.

How much weight will I gain while taking Cymbalta?

Once again, it depends.

In one of the studies discussed above, people gained about 2.5 pounds after a year of taking a high dose of Cymbalta (60 mg twice a day). People taking lower doses didn’t report significant weight changes. In another of the above studies, people gained about 5 to 7 pounds over 1 to 2 years of taking Cymbalta.

Study authors from both studies noted that weight gain is also associated with depression, especially when symptoms aren’t well-controlled. So it’s possible this weight gain is caused by a person’s health condition — and not the medication.

Can weight gain from Cymbalta be prevented?

Yes, it can. In the veterans study mentioned above, people experienced weight loss while taking Cymbalta for 12 to 18 months. But study authors admit they don’t know why these people lost weight.

There are some things you can do to help prevent weight gain while taking Cymbalta:

• Eat a healthy diet. Your diet can have a big impact on your body weight. If you’re eating a high-calorie diet without exercising, this could cause weight gain on its own. Eating a balanced diet can help manage your weight.

• Get regular exercise. Staying active has lots of health benefits, including weight loss. You may not see an immediate effect on your weight from exercising, but staying consistent can help keep your weight under control. Talk with your healthcare provider about what type of exercise might be best for your health.

It’s possible that you might still experience weight gain from Cymbalta even if you’re taking steps to avoid gaining weight. You can always talk with your healthcare provider about your concerns. They can help you determine other ways to help with managing weight.

If I gain weight while taking Cymbalta, can I lose it?

Yes, you can lose weight you may have gained while taking Cymbalta. Generally, the amount of weight gain from Cymbalta is low. So, you may be able to lose any weight gained just by making healthy lifestyle changes.

It’s also possible that you could lose weight by stopping Cymbalta. But this may not always be the best option for everyone. Cymbalta can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Always check with your healthcare provider before stopping a medication you’ve been prescribed.

What other side effects are common with Cymbalta?

We’ve already talked about weight gain and weight loss. But Cymbalta also has other possible side effects.

The most common side effects of Cymbalta include: 

• Nausea

• Headache

• Dry mouth

• Feeling tired

• Trouble sleeping

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Dizziness

• Less appetite

• Excessive sweating

• Stomach pain

• Low sex drive

Rare and possibly serious side effects of Cymbalta include: 

• Suicidal thought or behaviors

• Liver damage

• Low blood pressure and a higher risk of falls

• Serotonin syndrome

• Severe skin reactions

• Low sodium

• Worsening of glaucoma

• Seizures

• Trouble urinating

If you think you’re experiencing a side effect from Cymbalta, let your healthcare provider know. Some side effects may go away over time. But some might need treatment or medical attention.

Are there other SNRIs that don’t cause weight gain?

There are other SNRIs you can take. Some cause weight gain, while others don’t. Other SNRIs include:

• Effexor (venlafaxine)

• Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

• Savella (milnacipran)

• Fetzima (levomilnacipran)

One study found many antidepressant medications can cause weight gain. Cymbalta and Effexor were two of the medications studied. Weight gain was more common in people who took Cymbalta compared to those who took Effexor. In other studies, Pristiq, Savella, and Fetzima were all found to have a small amount of weight loss.

Not all of these medications treat the same health conditions, even though they’re in the same medication class. If you’re wondering if switching to a different SNRI may help you, talk with your healthcare provider.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

​​Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. Ulrich’s experience includes direct patient care in hospital and community pharmacies.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

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