Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Effective Alternative To Cymbalta
Question: My mom has been diagnosed wirh fibromialgya and has been prescribed cymbalta 30mg and magneseum B6 ( 4 x 470 mg) pills per day, after 3 weeks she started having dry mouth and started urinating every 30 min or so, she stopped the magneseum pills as she thought it was because of them, urination went back to normal, however dry mouth has been the same starting around 2 or 3 PM until midnight, she called her doctor, doctor told her it was because of cymbalta and that she has to continue taking it for another 2 weeks and then they do a check up and see what to do next, maybe increasing to a 60mg dosage per day. My question is, Is there an alternative to cymbalta and if not what can she take for the dry mouth as she is taking some sugar free sweets and water but it doesnt have a long term effect. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Savella is a alternative to Cymbalta.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for posting your query here at HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
One alternative of Cymbalta to treat Fibromyalgia is Savella ( milnacipran ), with no dry mouth as a side effect.
However as a drug that acts like antidepressants, its use could lead to other side effects, so there is need to discuss with your mother's treating Doctor about its use.
Best way to treat dry mouth related to drug side effects is to stop that drug.
Here are some suggestions that may improve dry mouth:
- there is need to breathe through the nose
- chew sugar-free gums during the day
- sip continuously water or sugar-free drinks
- over-the-counter saliva substitutes are available such hydroxyethyl-cellulose.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
Savella is a alternative to Cymbalta.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for posting your query here at HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
One alternative of Cymbalta to treat Fibromyalgia is Savella ( milnacipran ), with no dry mouth as a side effect.
However as a drug that acts like antidepressants, its use could lead to other side effects, so there is need to discuss with your mother's treating Doctor about its use.
Best way to treat dry mouth related to drug side effects is to stop that drug.
Here are some suggestions that may improve dry mouth:
- there is need to breathe through the nose
- chew sugar-free gums during the day
- sip continuously water or sugar-free drinks
- over-the-counter saliva substitutes are available such hydroxyethyl-cellulose.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you for your reply doctor, so if I understand correctly, if she takes savella, she might have some other side effects? And if she stops cymbalta then dry mouth will stop, but the old symptoms of fibromyalgia will come back? So we are stuck in the middle in terms of taking a decision?
Brief Answer:
All drugs have possible side effects.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Savella, Cymbalta etc. as drugs could have side effects, so, when started this possibility should be considered too, besides good effects.
If your mother starts using Savella, and will experience side effects, no one knows that, we know that dry mouth is not a common side effect of this drug.
There is always need to weight benefits vs. negative effects of a drug.
If Cymbalta improved symptoms in a satisfactory degree and showed as side effect only dry mouth, correcting dry mouth and continuing Cymbalta is justified.
If dry mouth interfere with quality of life, or is cause of major concern, other treatment possibilities should be tried.
Hope I've been understandable.
Best regards.
All drugs have possible side effects.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Savella, Cymbalta etc. as drugs could have side effects, so, when started this possibility should be considered too, besides good effects.
If your mother starts using Savella, and will experience side effects, no one knows that, we know that dry mouth is not a common side effect of this drug.
There is always need to weight benefits vs. negative effects of a drug.
If Cymbalta improved symptoms in a satisfactory degree and showed as side effect only dry mouth, correcting dry mouth and continuing Cymbalta is justified.
If dry mouth interfere with quality of life, or is cause of major concern, other treatment possibilities should be tried.
Hope I've been understandable.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thank you for the reply doctor, i would like to know also if Cymbalta can be taken with OSTRONG (calcium hydrogen phospate 600mg + vitamin D3 500i.u) + STAVIn(simvastatin 20) for cholesterol + Concor 2.5mg (for tachi-cardia Bisoprolol Fumarate cardio-selective Beta blocker) + biocalcin with XXXXXXX Q7 and vitamin D3 + Vital G (herbal) as she is taking them on a daily basis. Thanks alot
Brief Answer:
None of medicaments mentioned doesn't interact with Cymbalta.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXX.
After careful examination of the interaction between Cymbalta and other drugs, none of preparats reported by you and used by your mother interacts with it.
However, being careful does not harm, if any new symptoms or concerns after Cymbalta or Savella use should be reported to your mother's treating Doctor or Pharmacist.
Hope I helped you.
Wishing good health about you and your mother.
None of medicaments mentioned doesn't interact with Cymbalta.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXX.
After careful examination of the interaction between Cymbalta and other drugs, none of preparats reported by you and used by your mother interacts with it.
However, being careful does not harm, if any new symptoms or concerns after Cymbalta or Savella use should be reported to your mother's treating Doctor or Pharmacist.
Hope I helped you.
Wishing good health about you and your mother.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
