What are the side effects of Duloxetine?

Users most often report fatigue, withdrawal, emotional blunting, brain fog, emotional instability. Side effects came up 15 times across 45 reports.

User reports can't establish safety. PubMed lists 304 meta-analyses and 409 randomized trials. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take other medication.

Duloxetine side effects

Across 45 first-hand reports, people mentioned a side effect 15 times (about 33 per 100 reports). The most common: fatigue, withdrawal, emotional blunting. User reports show what people notice — they can't tell you whether Duloxetine is safe for you.

Reported side effects

fatigue4

withdrawal3

emotional blunting2

brain fog2

emotional instability1

zombification1

sexual dysfunction1

nausea1

What got worse for some people

Mood36% worse · 57% better · of 14

In their own words

“Cymbalta here. Absolutely ruined my life. Started early 2018 and quit cold turkey (nobody told me I couldn't) later that same year. I'm still a mess all this time later.”

Didn't helpRead the discussion ↗

“I also weaned off of duloxetine because it quit working for the pain and made me depressed non-motivated.”

Didn't helpRead the discussion ↗

“Duloxetine's potent NRI increased my drive, energy and mood but it wasn't effective enough at 60mg.”

MixedRead the discussion ↗

“I hated Cymbalta when I took it. I know the feeling you describe of zombification.”

Didn't helpRead the discussion ↗

“doctors prescribe stuff like cymbalta/lexapro (both of which I have been on and had bad side effects and even worse withdrawal symptoms)”

Didn't helpRead the discussion ↗

“Cymbalta is helping me cope better in social anxiety situations as soon as 2 weeks of taking it which is great imo”

HelpedRead the discussion ↗

Is Duloxetine safe? What the research covers

AResearch: Strong304 meta-analyses · 409 randomized trials on PubMed

Lancet · 2025

The effects of antidepressants on cardiometabolic and other physiological parameters: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: We found strong evidence that antidepressants differ markedly in their physiological effects, particularly for cardiometabolic parameters. Treatment guidelines should be updated to reflect differences in physiological risk, but choice of antidepressant should be made on an individual basis, considering clinical presentation and preferences of patients, carers, and clinicians.