Dosage and strength
For depression, anxiety and nerve pain, duloxetine comes in 30mg and 60mg capsules.
For stress urinary incontinence, duloxetine comes in 20mg and 40mg capsules.
How much you take will depend on what you're taking it for:
- depression – the starting dose is 60mg, taken once a day and this can be increased to 120mg, taken once a day
- anxiety – the starting dose is 30mg, taken once a day and this can be increased to 60mg, taken once a day
- nerve pain – the starting dose is 60mg taken once a day, and this can be increased to 60mg taken twice a day
- stress urinary incontinence – the starting dose is 20mg, taken twice a day and this can be increased to 40mg, taken twice a day, after 2 weeks
How to take it
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water or juice. Do not chew them.
You can take duloxetine with or without food, but it's best to take it at the same time each day.
How long to take it for
How long you take duloxetine for depends on why you're taking it.
For depression or anxiety, once you're feeling better, it's likely that you'll continue to take it for several more months. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to a year after you no longer feel depressed or anxious. Stopping your medicine too soon can make depression and anxiety come back.
When you stop taking it, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, to help prevent withdrawal side effects.
For nerve pain or urinary incontinence, if duloxetine is helping your symptoms, you can continue taking it long term. Your doctor may check that you're still having relief from the pain or urinary incontinence every few months.
If you forget to take it
If you usually take duloxetine once a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 12 hours until your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.
If you usually take it twice a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 4 hours until your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.
Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking too much duloxetine can cause symptoms such as:
- feeling sleepy
- being sick (vomiting)
- tremors
- feeling dizzy
- a fast heart rate
- sweating
- feeling restless
The amount of duloxetine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you take more than your prescribed dose of duloxetine
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you take more than your prescribed dose of duloxetine and you have a seizure or fit
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring the duloxetine packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.
Stopping taking duloxetine
If you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off duloxetine.
Your doctor may reduce your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you've been taking duloxetine for a long time.
This is to help prevent any extra side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine.
Important
Do not stop taking duloxetine suddenly or without talking to your doctor first.