Duloxetine is a medication used to treat various conditions, including depression, anxiety, and pain caused by nerve damage associated with diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), fibromyalgia (muscle pain and stiffness), and chronic pain related to muscles and bones. Duloxetine belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs), which are thought to work by increasing the activity of chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

Duloxetine is available only with a doctors prescription and comes as a delayed-release capsule to take by mouth. When duloxetine is used to treat depression, it is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. When duloxetine is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, the pain of diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, or ongoing bone or muscle pain, it is usually taken once a day with or without food.

It is important to note that duloxetine may cause serious conditions called serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)-like reactions if taken with certain medicines such as buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. Johns wort, amphetamines, or some others. Therefore, it is essential to inform your doctor about all the other medicines you are using before taking duloxetine.