Compare Cymbalta vs. Tegretol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Cymbalta (duloxetine)

Prescription only

Tegretol (Carbamazepine)

Prescription only
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
Prevents seizures, stabilizes mood, and relieves nerve pain.

Tegretol (Carbamazepine) is useful for preventing seizures and relieving certain types of nerve pain, but interacts with many drugs.

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3.3/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforTegretol
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.
  • Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with tonic-clonic and partial seizures.
  • First-line option for trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain involving the face, head, and neck), and can relieve other types of nerve pain.
  • May be helpful in stabilizing mood for people with bipolar disorder.
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.
  • Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
  • Higher risk of skin reactions compared to other antiepileptic medicines, ranging from mild to life-threatening rash.
  • Can cause blurry vision, dizziness, and upset stomach.
  • Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
  • Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Chewable tablet
  • Oral suspension
Price
Lowest price
$15.48
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Lowest price
$37.48
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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)?

Leave a review
61 reviews so far
56%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
23%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Tegretol (Carbamazepine)?

Leave a review
Side effects
12possible side effects
  • Nausea
    23%
  • Headache
    14%
  • Dry mouth
    13%
  • Drowsiness
    10%
  • Fatigue
    9%
  • Difficulty sleeping
    9%
  • Constipation
    9%
  • Dizziness
    9%
  • Diarrhea
    9%
  • Decreased appetite
    7%
  • Excessive sweating
    6%
  • Abdominal pain
    5%
See more detailed side effects
18possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    44%
  • Somnolence
    32%
  • Nausea
    28%
  • Vomiting
    18%
  • Ataxia
    15%
  • Constipation
    10%
  • Pruritus
    8%
  • Dry Mouth
    8%
  • Asthenia
    8%
  • Rash
    7%
  • Blurred vision
    6%
  • Speech Disorder
    6%
  • Hypertension
    3%
  • Tremor
    3%
  • Paresthesia
    2%
  • Thinking abnormal
    2%
  • Twitching
    2%
  • Vertigo
    2%
See more detailed side effects
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
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Serious skin rash
    • People also taking Depakote
    • Asian ancestry
  • Blood disorders
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious allergic reactions
    • European, Chinese, or Japanese ancestry
  • Pregnancy
  • Mental changes due to low sodium
    • Age 65 years or older
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Stopping Tegretol (Carbamazepine) suddenly
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Learn more about Tegretol (Carbamazepine)