Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It's taken by adults to treat depression and certain types of pain, such as fibromyalgia and nerve pain. It can taken by both adults and children for anxiety. Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) comes as a capsule that's taken by mouth, typically once to twice daily. The capsule can also be opened up and the pellets sprinkled over and eaten with applesauce. Some of the more common side effects of Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) include nausea, dry mouth, and headache. Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) is only available as a brand-name medication.
Depression (adults)
Anxiety (adults and children age 7 years or older)
Nerve pain caused by diabetes (adults)
Fibromyalgia (adults)
Long-term pain in muscles, bones, and joints (adults)
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). The exact way it works to ease pain and improve mood isn't well-understood. But Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) is thought to help regulate mood, behavior, and pain by raising the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
area rash
blindness
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blurred vision
change in consciousness
chills
clay-colored stools
cold sweats
confusion
convulsions
dark urine
decreased urine output
decreased vision
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
fast or irregular heartbeat
general tiredness or weakness
hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
hives, itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
increased thirst
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
light-colored stools
loss of consciousness
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
redness of the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
tearing
tightness in the chest
unpleasant breath odor
upper right stomach pain
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes and skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Agitation
loss of bladder control
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
overactive reflexes
poor coordination
restlessness
shivering
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sudden loss of consciousness
sweating
talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
trembling or shaking
twitching
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Body aches or pain
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
ear congestion
headache
lack or loss of strength
loss of appetite
loss of voice
muscle aches
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stuffy or runny nose
sweating increased
trouble sleeping
Less common
Abnormal orgasm
acid or sour stomach
belching
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
change in taste
change or problem with discharge of semen
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficulty with moving
feeling of warmth or redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
inability to have or keep an erection
indigestion
longer than usual time to ejaculation of semen
loose stools
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of taste
muscle cramps, pains, or stiffness
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
stomach discomfort or upset
sudden sweating
swollen joints
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Capsules can be opened and its contents sprinkled onto applesauce, so good for people who have a hard time swallowing pills
Can be taken once or twice daily
Can be taken with or without food
Can help with several different conditions, so good for people who have multiple symptoms
Only available as a brand-name medication
Not recommended for people with serious liver or kidney problems or certain types of glaucoma
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior for children and young adults
Can't use Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) within 14 days of also taking a MAOI medication because of risk for serotonin syndrome
Don't crush or chew Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) capsules because doing so will damage the pellets inside and affect how the medication works. Swallow the capsule whole.
If you can't swallow Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) whole, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the pellets inside over applesauce. You can also mix the pellets with water and give the mixture through a nasogastric tube (NG).
To take Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) with applesauce, open the capsule and sprinkle the pellets onto a small amount of applesauce (about one tablespoonful). It's important to take this mixture right away. Don't try to save it for later because having the pellets sit too long on top of food might affect how they work in your body.
To take Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) through a nasogastric tube (NG), open the capsule and add the pellets to an all plastic catheter tip syringe. Then, add 50 mL of water and gently shake the syringe for about 10 seconds. Give the mixture through a 12 French or larger NG tube. If there are still pellets left in the syringe, add a little extra water (about 15 mL) to rinse out the syringe.
Let your healthcare team know if you notice any unusual or sudden changes in your mood, behavior, or thoughts. This can be a sign of a rare, but serious side effect of Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) that can lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in children and young adults.
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) might cause dizziness or sleepiness, so don't drive or do anything that needs a lot of focus and attention until you know how this medication affects you.
Let your prescriber know if you have a hard time urinating or emptying your bladder because it might be caused by Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine).
Don't drink alcohol while taking Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine). This medication can cause side effects such as sleepiness and liver damage. Drinking alcohol at the same time can worsen these side effects and raise your risk for falls or liver failure. If you drink alcohol regularly or have liver problems, let your prescriber know.
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can cause sexual side effects, including problems with ejaculation and low sexual desire. Let your healthcare team know if you experience these side effects and they can talk with you about your options, such as lower the dose of Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) or considering other medications.
Your healthcare team might ask you to check your blood pressure regularly while you're taking Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine). Some people have noticed their blood pressure rising after starting this medication. If your blood pressure becomes too high, your care team might lower your dose of Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) or ask you to consider other options.
If you have diabetes, make sure to check your blood sugar regularly while taking Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine). Some people have reported higher blood sugar levels after starting Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine).
Stopping Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) too suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, agitation, and dizziness. If you want to stop Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine), speak to your prescriber about how to do so safely by lowering your dosage slowly over time.
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: People ages 24 years and younger
Medications for depression, including Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine), can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and young adults. Make sure your family members or loved ones are aware of this risk so they can let you know if they notice any changes in your mood, especially during your first few months of treatment or when the dose changes. Let your prescriber know if your depression gets worse or if you experience new or worsening suicidal thoughts because you might need to change to a different medication
Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower blood pressure or affect balance | Taking more than 60 mg per day of Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) | Older adults
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can suddenly lower your blood pressure, especially when you change from a lying or sitting position to a standing position. This can put you at risk for falling and fainting. Your risk might be higher when you first start Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) or when there's a dosage change. Let your prescriber if you feel dizzy or faint while taking this medication because you might need a lower dose or change to a different medication.
Risk factors: Taking aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin, or other blood thinners | Taking other medications that affect serotonin
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you take it with other medications that can cause bleeding, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and warfarin (Coumadin). Let your prescriber know your full medication history before starting Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) to see if this medication is safe for you. Get medical help right away if you notice bruises that won't go away, bleeding that's difficult to stop, blood in your urine, or dark-colored stool.
Risk factors: Liver problems | Drinking alcohol
Rarely, Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can cause liver failure, which can be life-threatening. If you experience signs of liver problems, you might need to stop this medication. Let your prescriber know right away if you experience fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. They might ask you to stop taking Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) and talk with you about other options.
Risk factors: Taking medications that raise serotonin levels | Taking medications that prevent the breakdown of serotonin
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can cause a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome, where too much serotonin builds up in your body. The risk is higher when you take other medications that also raise serotonin levels. Get emergency medical help if you experience symptoms of serotonin syndrome, like agitation, sweating, muscle spasms.
In some rare cases, Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can cause potentially life-threatening skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Stop taking Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) and let your care team know right away if you get any blisters, peeling rash, painful skin ulcers, or other skin reactions.
Risk factors: Stopping Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) suddenly
Stopping Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) too suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, sweating, anxiety, agitation, and dizziness. If you want to stop Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine), speak to your prescriber about how to do so safely by lowering your dosage slowly over time.
Risk factors: Older adults | Taking water pills | Not enough fluids
Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) can cause very low sodium levels in your blood. Your risk is higher if you've lost a lot of fluids from your body from things such as taking water pills or not drinking enough water. Let your prescriber know if you have symptoms of low sodium levels, such as headache, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, confusion, weakness, or unsteadiness.
Some adults who took Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) experienced sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and low sex drive. Contact your HCP if you notice any bothersome sexual problems while you're taking Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine).
Risk factors: Personal or family history of bipolar disorder
Let your healthcare team know if you or someone in your family have bipolar disorder because Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) might not be appropriate for you. Treating someone with bipolar disorder with an antidepressant alone can cause a manic episode (great excitement, euphoria, delusions, and overactivity). Talk to your prescriber right away if you notice unusual changes in your behavior after you take Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine). This medication isn't approved for treating bipolar depression.
Depression: The typical starting dose is 30 mg by mouth once a day, 20 mg twice daily, or 30 mg twice daily. The usual dose is 60 mg by mouth daily.
Anxiety: The typical starting dose and dosing range is 30 mg to 60 mg by mouth once daily.
Diabetic neuropathy: The typical dose is 60 mg by mouth once daily.
Fibromyalgia and long-term pain in muscles, bones, and joints: The typical starting dose is 30 mg by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 60 mg by mouth daily.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) together with Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) or within 5 days of stopping Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine)
Taking Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) within 14 days of stopping an MAOI
Taking linezolid or intravenous methylene blue
Depression (adults)
Anxiety (adults and children age 7 years or older)
Nerve pain caused by diabetes (adults)
Fibromyalgia (adults)
Long-term pain in muscles, bones, and joints (adults)
Major depressive disorder in adults
Generalized anxiety disorder in people age 7 years and older
Diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain caused by high blood sugar) in adults
Fibromyalgia in people age 13 years and older
Long-term pain in the muscles, bones, joints, or tendons in adults
Generalized anxiety disorder - extended-release capsules only
Social anxiety disorder - extended-release capsules and tablets only
Panic disorder - extended-release capsules only
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Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. (2024). Dirzalma Sprinkle- duloxetine capsule, delayed release [package insert]. DailyMed.
Snyder, M. J., et al. (2016). Treating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: An update. American Family Physician.
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