can duloxetine cause constipation?

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 21, 2022.

Commonly reported side effects of duloxetine include: asthenia, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, hypersomnia, insomnia, nausea, sedated state, headache, and xerostomia. Other side effects include: agitation, erectile dysfunction, nervousness, psychomotor agitation, tension, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, decreased appetite, decreased libido, hyperhidrosis, loss of libido, and restlessness. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to duloxetine: oral delayed-release capsules.

Side effects include:

Nausea, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, fatigue, somnolence, insomnia, dizziness, asthenia, agitation, hyperhidrosis or increased sweating, and decreased sexual function (e.g., decreased libido, delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction).

Applies to duloxetine: oral delayed release capsule.

The most commonly reported side effects included nausea, somnolence, headache, and dizziness.[Ref]

Abdominal pain more commonly occurred in pediatric patients.

Constipation occurred most frequently in patients given 60 mg orally 2 times a day (N=225); the side effect occurred in 11% of patients given 60 mg orally once a day, and in 5% of patients given 20 mg orally once a day.

Diarrhea occurred most frequently in patients given 20 mg orally once a day (N=115); the side effect occurred in 7% of patients given 60 mg orally 2 times a day, and in 11% of patients given 60 mg orally once a day.

Dry mouth occurred most frequently in patients in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to placebo (N=2995).

Nausea occurred most frequently in patients given 60 mg orally 2 times a day (N=225); the side effect occurred in 22% of patients given 60 mg orally once a day, and in 14% of patients given 20 mg orally once a day.

Vomiting occurred more frequently in patients 13 to 17 years of age with fibromyalgia.[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 30%), constipation (up to 15%), dry mouth (up to 15%), vomiting (up to 15%), abdominal pain (up to 13%), diarrhea (up to 13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, flatulence, loose stools, oral paresthesia, stomach discomfort, viral gastroenteritis/gastroenteritis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysphagia, eructation, gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding/hemorrhage, halitosis, stomatitis

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gastric ulcer, hematochezia, microscopic colitis

Frequency not reported: Abdominal discomfort, abdominal tenderness, gastrointestinal pain, lower abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain

Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis, unspecified colitis[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (up to 21%), headache (up to 18%), dizziness (up to 17%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dysgeusia, facial hypoesthesia, hypoesthesia, lethargy, paresthesia, psychomotor agitation, tremor, vertigo

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Akathisia, attention disturbance, dyskinesia, gait disturbance, myoclonus, poor quality sleep, restless legs syndrome, syncope

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Convulsion, dysarthria, extrapyramidal disorder, psychomotor restlessness, serotonin syndrome

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Electric shock-like sensation, seizures

Frequency not reported: Hypersomnia, psychomotor hyperactivity, sedation, sensory disturbances

Postmarketing reports: Intracerebral bleeding[Ref]

Dizziness occurred most frequently in patients given 60 mg orally 2 times a day (N=225); the side effect occurred in 14% of patients given 60 mg orally once a day, and in 6% of patients given 20 mg orally once a day.

Headache more commonly occurred in pediatric patients.

Convulsion and seizures were reported during treatment discontinuation.

Somnolence occurred most frequently in patients given 60 mg orally 2 times a day (N=225); the side effect occurred in 15% of patients given 60 mg orally once a day, and in 7% of patients given 20 mg orally once a day.

Syncope was reported, especially during treatment initiation.[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Decreased weight (up to 16%), decreased appetite (up to 16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, increased weight

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood potassium increased, dehydration, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, increased blood cholesterol, thirst

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dyslipidemia, hyponatremia[Ref]

Decreased appetite occurred more frequently in patients 13 to 17 years of age with fibromyalgia.

Decreased weight of at least 3.5% occurred more frequently in patients 7 to 17 years of age with GAD and/or MDD.

Hyperglycemia was more commonly reported in patients with diabetes.[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Cough, oropharyngeal pain, pharyngolaryngeal pain, upper respiratory tract infection, yawning

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis, throat tightness

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Eosinophilic pneumonia, interstitial lung disease[Ref]

Nasopharyngitis occurred more frequently in patients 13 to 17 years of age with fibromyalgia.[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, abnormal orgasm, agitation, anorgasmia, anxiety, decreased libido/decreased sex drive, restlessness, sleep disorder, tension

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Apathy, bruxism, confusional state, disorientation, irritability, mood swings, nervousness, nightmares, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Aggression, anger, completed suicide, hallucinations, mania, suicidal behavior

Frequency not reported: Activation of hypomania, early morning awakening, initial insomnia, intense dreams, loss of libido, middle insomnia, sleep disturbances, terminal insomnia[Ref]

Aggression and/or anger usually occurred initially or after stopping treatment.

Insomnia occurred most frequently in patients given 60 mg orally 2 times a day (N=225); the side effect occurred in 8% of patients given 60 mg orally once a day, and in 9% of patients given 20 mg orally once a day.[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, chills, falls, feeling jittery, pyrexia, rigors, tinnitus

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ear pain, feeling abnormal, feeling cold/hot, malaise

Frequency not reported: Clinically important drug interactions[Ref]

Fatigue occurred most frequently in patients given 60 mg orally 2 times a day (N=225); the side effect occurred in 10% of patients given 60 mg orally once a day, and in 2% of patients given 20 mg orally once a day.

Falls were more common in patients 65 years and older.

Tinnitus was reported during treatment discontinuation.[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Ejaculation delayed, ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction, polyuria, urinary frequency

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal urine odor, dysuria, ejaculation dysfunction, ejaculation failure, menopausal symptoms, micturition urgency, nocturia, sexual dysfunction, testicular pain, urinary hesitation, urinary retention

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Decreased urine flow, menstrual disorder

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Galactorrhea, gynecological bleeding

Frequency not reported: Genital hypoesthesia, problems getting/keeping an erection[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle cramp, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, neck pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood creatine phosphokinase increased, muscle tightness, muscle twitching, musculoskeletal stiffness, trismus

Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Blood pressure increased, flushing/hot flush, palpitations

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation, chest pain, hypertension, increased diastolic blood pressure, increased systolic blood pressure, myocardial infarction, orthostatic hypertension, peripheral coldness, supraventricular arrhythmia, tachycardia, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypertensive crisis, supraventricular fibrillation

Frequency not reported: Diastolic hypertension, essential hypertension, labile hypertension, pulse increased, secondary hypertension, systolic hypertension

Postmarketing reports: Cardiac events, ventricular arrhythmias[Ref]

Orthostatic hypotension was reported, especially during treatment initiation.[Ref]

Cutaneous vasculitis was sometimes associated with systemic involvement.[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperhidrosis/increased sweating, pruritus, rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cold sweat, contact dermatitis, erythema, night sweats, photosensitivity reaction, urticaria

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Ecchymosis

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cutaneous vasculitis, contusion, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Frequency not reported: Severe skin reactions, subcutaneous tissue disorder[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia, dry eye, mydriasis, visual impairment

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Glaucoma

Frequency not reported: Angle-closure glaucoma[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Influenza

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Laryngitis[Ref]

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute liver injury, ALT elevation, alkaline phosphatase elevation, AST elevation, blood bilirubin increased, elevated liver enzymes, GGT increased, hepatitis

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hepatic failure, jaundice

Frequency not reported: Hepatotoxicity, liver failure[Ref]

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypothyroidism

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hyperprolactinemia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)[Ref]

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity disorder

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reaction

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Angioneurotic edema, hypersensitivity[Ref]

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased tendency to bruise

Postmarketing reports: Abnormal bleeding events, blood dyscrasias[Ref]

Postmarketing reports: Renal dysfunction[Ref]

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used for treating depression, anxiety disorder, and pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or fibromyalgia.

Common side effects of Cymbalta include:

Some patients may experience withdrawal reactions such anxiety, nausea, nervousness, and insomnia.

The recommended dose of Cymbalta for treating depression is 20 or 30 mg twice daily or 60 mg once daily. Cymbalta may interact with any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling, including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, piroxicam, nabumetone, etodolac, and others.

Cymbalta may also interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures), blood thinner, buspirone, cimetidine, diuretics (water pills), fentanyl, lithium, St. John's wort, tramadol, tryptophan, some antibiotics, triptans for migraine, or other antidepressants.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Cymbalta; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. Cymbalta may cause problems in a newborn if you take it during the third trimester of pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Cymbalta on the baby. Cymbalta passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while taking Cymbalta is not recommended.

constipation. dry mouth. nausea. tiredness.

• Difficulty sleeping. Try taking duloxetine first thing in the morning.
• Headaches. Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Feeling dizzy.
• Blurred vision.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhoea.
• Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) .
• Dry mouth.