What is the best antidepressant to take with Cymbalta? (3+ options) 

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “What is the best antidepressant to take with Cymbalta?”. Cymbalta is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). 

It is an antidepressant in nature and can be used to treat a variety of mental health-related problems. Sometimes, this depressant can be paired with other antidepressants for a better therapeutic outcome. 

This blog will cover the best possible combinations of antidepressants with Cymbalta. We will also talk about the safety and efficacy of the said combinations. 

What is the best antidepressant to take with Cymbalta?

The best antidepressants to take with Cymbalta include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 
• Wellbutrin (Bupropion) 
• Remeron (Mirtazapine) 

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by inhibiting the reuptake of two excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters; serotonin and norepinephrine. It does so by blocking serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, SERT and NET respectively. 

This makes more serotonin and norepinephrine available to bind to their respective receptors and control the symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and several other mental health conditions. Let’s take a look at the best combinations with Cymbalta. 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 

Cymbalta can be paired with almost all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Cymbalta is frequently prescribed with these drugs and the combination has some good clinical significance. Some of the common SSRIs include:

• Sertraline (Zoloft) 
• Escitalopram (Lexapro) 
• Citalopram (Celexa) 
• Paroxetine (Paxil) 
• Fluoxetine (Prozac) 

Cymbalta can be paired with any one of the above-mentioned SSRIs. They all have their own pros and cons. Every single medication on this planet is associated with some side effects. It is not possible to predict what kind of side effects you will suffer from before actually taking the medication. 

However, some combinations are more efficacious compared to others. This is exactly why the pros and cons of the combination should be weighed prior to using them. 

Although the drugs belong to the same class with the same mechanism of action, they do differ from one another in terms of potency and side effect profile. This is why you should always stick to your doctor’s recommended combination. 

If you’re being treated with Cymbalta individually, do not take any SSRI along with it on your own. This is not your job and you should never take such matters into your hands. 

Such combination treatments require dose adjustment as higher doses can not be used when more than one antidepressant is being used. Doses should be kept low to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the combination while minimising the side effects. 

Several studies have suggested that the combination of Cymbalta and SSRIs can be used for the treatment and management of treatment-resistant depression or persistent depression that does not respond to monotherapy. However, this combination is associated with some side effects. These include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Vomiting 
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Weight gain or loss 
• Excessive sweating or night sweating (nocturnal/night hyperhidrosis) 
• Frequent urination 
• Polydipsia or excessive thirst
• Tremors 
• Muscle twitching and pain
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Abdominal pain 
• Flu-like symptoms, including irritation in the eyes and a runny nose
• Loss of libido in both males and females. Males may suffer from an inability to release, while females may suffer from an inability to have a climactic experience. 

Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you can if you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction soon after taking this combination therapy for the first time. Some people are naturally allergic to some meds and there is no way to predict that before actually taking the med. 

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 

Cymbalta can be used in combination with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). There are many research studies which suggest that Venlafaxine pairs really well with Cymbalta as compared to Cymbalta monotherapy. 

This combination, according to research studies, can be used for the treatment and management of treatment-resistant depression and related mental health conditions. However, this combination involves two SNRIs, so some synergistic side effects can occur. 

High doses can significantly damage your health by dangerously increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in your body. This can give rise to a number of side effects because of the huge number of physiological and psychological functions performed by these neurotransmitters. 

Some of the common SNRIs include:

• Venlafaxine (Effexor) 
• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) 
• Milnacipran (Ixel) 
• Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) 

As stated earlier, the combination of Cymbalta and other SNRIs can cause a number of side effects. Some of the common ones include:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea or Constipation 
• Upset stomach 
• Abdominal pain 
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness 
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Increased appetite 
• Tremors or shaking
• Insomnia
• Decreased sex drive
• Impotence
• Inability to release
• Mood swings
• Convulsions 
• QT prolongation 
• Pain and tightness in the chest
• Arrhythmia 

These side effects can be mild for some people, but severe and unbearable for others. Every single person has different body physiology and they can not be compared. 

You will react to meds according to your body physiology and I will react to the same meds according to my body physiology. This is why you should never share medications. Always consult your healthcare provider. 

Too many of these drugs can cause the disturbing symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome, which occurs as a result of too much serotonergic activity in your body. 

In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital and inform them how much drug has been taken and when. If you have accidentally missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If a lot of time has passed, it’s better to skip the dose and take the next one on time. 

Wellbutrin (Bupropion) 

Cymbalta can also be paired with Wellbutrin for the management and treatment of persistent depression which does not respond well to monotherapy. However, the combination may not be so comfortable for everyone and it can cause a number of disturbing side effects.

One of the biggest concerns associated with the combined use of Cymbalta and Wellbutrin is the risk of seizures. Both of these drugs can disturb the normal neuronal firing rate in your brain. This can cause abnormal jerks or seizures in different parts of your body. 

A normal and healthy person may not get this side effect, especially with well-adjusted doses. However, people with active epilepsy can not tolerate this combination at all and these drugs may also not work well with antiepileptic drugs. 

This is why your doctor needs to have your full medical history in order to prescribe you the best possible combination of drugs. Drug-drug interactions are not the only kind of possible interactions. 

Your medication can interact with your disease and may make things even more complicated for you. Common side effects associated with this combination include:

• Anxiety 
• Drowsiness 
• Unexplained excitement
• Risk of seizures
• Dry mouth 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Upset stomach 
• Abdominal pain 
• Tremors 
• Unexplained weight loss 
• Frequent and painful urination 

Remeron (Mirtazapine) 

Cymbalta is most frequently paired with Remeron and the combination works as the best possible combination of antidepressants for some people. However, it is also associated with some side effects. 

Despite that, the combination has some pretty good reviews and many people have claimed it to be a life-saving treatment. This is mainly because the combination works in several ways for the management and treatment of treatment-resistant depression. 

This type of depression does not respond well to typical treatments and it needs something extra to be managed properly. Apart from depression, this combination can also be used for unbearable anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Just make sure that you only use these meds if your healthcare provider thinks that you can achieve a good therapeutic response from this combination. Self-medication is the worst thing you can do to yourself, especially when mental health is at stake. 

Some of the side effects associated with the use of Remeron and Cymbalta include:

• Sleepiness or drowsiness 
• Excessive tiredness or fatigue 
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Anxiety 
• Agitation 
• Confusion 
• Gain of appetite
• Weight gain 
• Gastrointestinal side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea/Constipation 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the best antidepressant to take with Cymbalta. Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Sometimes, this depressant can be paired with other antidepressants for a better therapeutic outcome. 

It can be paired with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), other serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Wellbutrin (Bupropion), and Remeron (Mirtazapine). 

However, all of these combinations are associated with some pros and cons of their own and proper dose administration and side effect monitoring can help you achieve your therapeutic goals. Make sure you never take any medication with Cymbalta without your doctor’s approval. 

FAQs: best antidepressant to take with cymbalta 

What is the best combination of antidepressants?

There are a huge number of possibilities when it comes to the combination of antidepressants. It’s hard to tell which one is considered the best, as all of the combinations act uniquely for different mental health conditions. However, research suggests that the combination of two SSRIs, mainly Sertraline and Escitalopram is considered a good, safe, and effective choice for the treatment and management of depression, anxiety, and several other mental health conditions. 

Can Wellbutrin be taken with Cymbalta?

Yes, Wellbutrin can be taken with Cymbalta, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. One of the biggest concerns associated with the combined use of Cymbalta and Wellbutrin is the risk of seizures. A normal and healthy person may not get this side effect, especially with well-adjusted doses. However, people with active epilepsy can not tolerate this combination at all and these drugs may also not work well with antiepileptic drugs. 

What antidepressant works better than Cymbalta?

There are a number of antidepressants that can be used instead of Cymbalta. However, Cymbalta is considered a strong antidepressant. It is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). 

It works by inhibiting the reuptake of two excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters; serotonin and norepinephrine. It does so by blocking serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, SERT and NET respectively. Other SNRIs, SSRIs, Mirtazapine, Wellbutrin and many other antidepressants can be used in place of Duloxetine. 

Can you take Lexapro and Cymbalta together?

Yes, you can take Lexapro and Cymbalta together. However, this combination can cause serotonin syndrome, which occurs as a result of too much serotonergic activity in your brain. If the doses are properly adjusted for both Cymbalta and Lexapro, the risk of serotonin syndrome is reduced and the treatment can be carried out safely. 

How do you know if Cymbalta is not working?

Antidepressants are meant to provide relief in the symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, or any other mental health-related problem. However, if you have been taking Cymbalta for a while now and you don’t see any change in your condition, it might indicate that Cymbalta is not working for you. If it makes you experience a number of disturbing side effects, then it clearly indicates that Cymbalta is not the right choice of antidepressant for you. 

Can Effexor and Cymbalta be taken together?

Yes, Effexor and Cymbalta can be taken together, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. The combination of these two antidepressants, which belong to the same class, may cause a number of synergistic side effects. The combination can also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare and serious condition. 

References

• Eun-Jin Cheon, Jun-Yeob Lee, and Bon-Hoon Koo – Effectiveness of Duloxetine Monotherapy Compared to Combination Therapy with Other Antidepressants in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Short-Term, Retrospective Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4965656/#:~:text=With%20respect%20to%20the%20combination,%2C%20bupropion%2C%20sertraline%20and%20fluoxetine.
• Duloxetine https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/duloxetine/