Compare Cymbalta vs. desipramine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Improves mood and relieves certain types of pain.
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is good for treating depression, anxiety, and some forms of chronic pain, but it is more likely than other antidepressants to cause problems if you drink alcohol or have high blood pressure.
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3.6/ 5 average rating with 496 reviewsforCymbalta
Stabilizes your mood.
Norpramin (desipramine) is not a first choice for treating depression because of its effects on the heart, but it can be good if other medicines haven't worked.
Upsides
- Cymbalta (duloxetine) may help relieve nerve pain from diabetes and other forms of chronic pain.
- Cymbalta (duloxetine) has several uses, which may be good for people with multiple conditions.
- Available as a generic, which is cheaper.
- Norpramin (desipramine) is available in generic and in many different strengths, so the dose can be more customized.
- Norpramin (desipramine) has fewer side effects than similar tricyclic antidepressants.
Downsides
- Cymbalta (duloxetine) may not be a good option if you're a heavy drinker, or have liver or kidney problems.
- Cymbalta (duloxetine) can increase high blood pressure.
- Like most antidepressants, Cymbalta (duloxetine) can cause higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior for people aged 24 and younger.
- Norpramin (desipramine) isn't recommended if you or your family has heart disease, seizures, or glaucoma.
- Norpramin (desipramine) isn't a first choice for depression because it has more side effects than other antidepressants.
- In some people, Norpramin (desipramine) can make you sleepy. In other people, Norpramin (desipramine) can keep you awake.
- If you have diabetes, Norpramin (desipramine) can make your blood sugar go up.
- Not recommended in children under 12 years of age.
Used for
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic muscle pain
- Urinary incontinence (women)
- Depression
- Diabetic neuropathy
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$12.48
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$21.23
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Reviews
496 reviews so far
58%
saidit'sworth it
49%
saiditworked well
24%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Cymbalta (duloxetine)?
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Side effects
12possible side effects
- Nausea23%
- Headache14%
- Dry mouth13%
- Drowsiness10%
- Fatigue9%
- Difficulty sleeping9%
- Constipation9%
- Dizziness9%
- Diarrhea9%
- Decreased appetite7%
- Excessive sweating6%
- Abdominal pain5%
The Norpramin (desipramine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Age 24 years or younger
- Serotonin syndrome
- Taking tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, tramadol, fentanyl, amphetamines, certain headache medications (triptans), St. John's Wort
- Withdrawal
- Stopping Cymbalta (duloxetine) abruptly
- Increased bleeding
- Taking other blood-thinning drugs (including aspirin, NSAIDs such as Advil, warfarin)
- Changes in blood pressure and risk of falls
- Elderly patients
- History of gait disturbances
- Taking more than 60 mg of Cymbalta (duloxetine) daily
- Taking other medicines that lower blood pressure
- History of high blood pressure
- Bipolar disorder
- History of bipolar disorder
- At risk for bipolar disorder
- Higher risk of suicide
- People under age 24
- Possible bipolar disorder
- Serotonin syndrome
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Buspirone
- ADHD medicines
- Triptans
- Changes to the heartbeat
- History of heart disease
- Higher risk for seizures
- History of seizures
- History of brain damage or alcohol withdrawal