What to do if you forget to take Cymbalta for 3 days? (3 potential risks)
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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
This article will discuss what one should do after forgetting to take Cymbalta for 3 days. We will also talk about the potential dangers of taking antidepressants intermittently and how it can negatively affect your therapeutic goals.
What to do if you forget to take Cymbalta for 3 days?
If you’ve forgotten to take Cymbalta for three days, take it as soon as you remember. Try to avoid taking 3 doses at a time to make up for the missed ones. This can do far more damage than good. Antidepressants like Cymbalta should be taken consistently and as directed by your doctor (1).
These medications are not meant to be taken intermittently; they should be taken daily for the prescribed duration of your treatment. Consistency is key, as taking antidepressants at the same time each day helps maintain a steady concentration of the drug in your body, enhancing the therapeutic benefits.
It’s crucial to avoid missing doses, as a gap of three days without Cymbalta is not ideal and can impact the effectiveness of the treatment.
What are the potential risks of missing Cymbalta for 3 days?
Missing Cymbalta for 3 days could lead to some potential health risks, including:
Withdrawal symptoms
When someone who has been on Cymbalta for an extended period misses the medication for three days, withdrawal symptoms can kick in. These symptoms can be challenging and may persist for an extended period (2).
It’s not a simple matter of a day or two; it could last for weeks. Symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, nightmares, irritability, and “brain zaps,” which are described as electric shock-like sensations (3).
This explains how important it is to take your Cymbalta or any other antidepressant consistently. Mental health illnesses are no joke and can aggravate if the treatment plan is not carried out properly.
Inadequate therapeutic response
To achieve the desired therapeutic response from Cymbalta or any antidepressant, regular and daily intake is essential. Missing doses can affect the intended treatment plan, leading to fluctuations in drug concentration in the body.
This can affect the medication’s ability to effectively manage the symptoms it’s prescribed for. Consistency in medication intake ensures a stable and continuous therapeutic effect, contributing to better mental health outcomes.
Worsening of symptoms
Intermittent use of Cymbalta can exacerbate depression symptoms or worsen the symptoms of any other conditions being treated. Depression and related disorders require consistent management to keep symptoms at bay.
Missing your antidepressant doses frequently can affect your treatment goals. This can not only affect your well-being but may also require adjustments to the treatment plan, such as increased doses or alternative medications.
How to take Cymbalta properly to make the most out of it?
The following points are important to make the most out of Cymbalta (1):
Take it consistently
Take Cymbalta at the same time every day, as consistency is key. Whether it’s with breakfast or dinner, finding a routine helps maintain a steady concentration of the medication in your body, optimising its therapeutic benefits.
Take it the same way each day
Cymbalta can be taken with or without food, but consistency is essential. If you choose to take it with a meal, try to do so at the same time daily. This can help prevent variations in drug absorption that might affect its effectiveness.
Follow your doctor’s instructions
Always follow your doctor’s instructions. They prescribe a specific dosage and schedule based on your condition. If there are any concerns or if you’re experiencing side effects, consult your healthcare provider before making any changes on your own.
If Cymbalta is not helping your condition adequately, your doctor will either combine another compatible antidepressant with it or switch you entirely to another antidepressant.
Do not skip doses
Skipping doses can lead to uneven levels of the medication in your system, potentially causing withdrawal symptoms or a lapse in therapeutic effect. Even if you start feeling better, continue the prescribed regimen unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Do not ignore persistent side effects
If you experience any side effects or unexpected reactions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor. They can adjust your dosage, suggest strategies to manage side effects or explore alternative medications if necessary.
Opt for a healthy lifestyle
While Cymbalta is a valuable part of managing mental health, it works even better when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep can complement the medication’s effects, contributing to overall well-being.
How to remember to take Cymbalta?
There are so many options nowadays that one can explore to remember to take their meds. We now have smart gadgets on which we can set alarms or reminders to help us remember to take our meds. Plenty of apps are available that you can simply install on your phone and set your daily medication timing (4).
The app will notify you itself, aiding you in remembering to take your meds. If you’re someone who likes to keep a journal, you can maintain a medication journal as well, ensuring you remember to take your antidepressant. If not, you can just opt for the simplest method of all – a pillbox (5).
Fill it up with your daily doses and keep it in a place that is easy for you to find. This can help you remember to take your antidepressant and prevent double dosing as well. These strategies can help improve medication adherence and make it easier for you to achieve your treatment goals.
As a pharmacist, I always advise my patients to keep medication-reminding apps and a pillbox. Such apps can help you remember to take your meds on time, and keeping a pillbox ensures that you do not double dose.
These strategies are quite helpful for people with busy schedules and can help them achieve their therapeutic goals. I also recommend not skipping doses deliberately. This can mess with your overall progress and may result in a relapse. Remember, your health should always be your priority.
References
- Dhaliwal JS, Spurling BC, Molla M. Duloxetine. 2023 May 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31747213. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549806
- Dilsaver SC, Greden JF. Antidepressant withdrawal phenomena. Biol Psychiatry. 1984 Feb;19(2):237-56. PMID: 6324897. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6324897/
- Perahia DG, Kajdasz DK, Desaiah D, Haddad PM. Symptoms following abrupt discontinuation of duloxetine treatment in patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord. 2005 Dec;89(1-3):207-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2005.09.003. Epub 2005 Nov 2. PMID: 16266753. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16266753/
- Santo K, Singleton A, Rogers K, Thiagalingam A, Chalmers J, Chow CK, Redfern J. Medication reminder applications to improve adherence in coronary heart disease: a randomised clinical trial. Heart. 2019 Feb;105(4):323-329. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2018-313479. Epub 2018 Aug 27. PMID: 30150326. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30150326/
- Schwartz JK. Pillbox use, satisfaction, and effectiveness among persons with chronic health conditions. Assist Technol. 2017 Winter;29(4):181-187. doi: 10.1080/10400435.2016.1219884. Epub 2016 Aug 11. PMID: 27689861. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27689861/