Can You Get Duloxetine HCL DR (generic Cymbalta) Online?

Medicall Reviewed by Dr. Allison Edwards

Medically reviewed by Dr. Allison Edwards, Medical Director

Yes! Thanks to convenient telehealth platforms like Sesame you can get a prescription for duloxetine online in minutes from a trusted doctor. Following a video consultation or in-person doctor appointment, doctors can write prescriptions for medication or refill an existing prescription. Note that doctors on Sesame cannot write prescriptions for controlled substances. Sesame offers same-day in-person and telehealth visits with real quality doctors who can chat with you about your condition and determine the best treatment options for your condition or symptoms.

Visit www.sesamecare.com to find a health care provider, book an appointment that’s convenient for you, and talk to your doctor about your condition. Sesame’s integrated prescription service lets your doctor write a prescription for the lowest price medication - often just $5 with free delivery on every prescription.

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Antidepressant medication, such as duloxetine, may change mental health conditions (such as mood and behavior) in unexpected ways. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or other sudden changes in your mental health. Before starting treatment with duloxetine, or any other antidepressant, discuss the risks and benefits of the medication with your doctor.

What is duloxetine?

Duloxetine is a prescription antidepressant medication used to treat depression and nerve pain - classified as a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). These medications work by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine available in the brain. Serotonin and norepinephrine are hormones that occur naturally in the brain and are used to carry signals between nerve cells. Serotonin helps to regulate mood, anxiety, and other brain functions, while norepinephrine helps to mobilize the brain for action, improving energy and focus. Put simply, these two chemicals make your brain feel happy.

Why do doctors prescribe duloxetine?

The FDA has approved duloxetine to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), diabetic peripheral and neuropathic pain (DPNP), and chronic musculoskeletal pain (such as osteoarthritis) in adults. It’s also been approved to treat fibromyalgia in patients 13 and older and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in patients 7 and older.

What is major depressive disorder (MDD)?

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a type of mood disorder that negatively affects how you think, behave, and feel. Untreated depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical issues. Common symptoms of depression include:

  • Feelings of sadness
  • Loss of interest in or pleasure in most normal activities
  • Outbursts of anger or frustration
  • Troubles with sleep such as sleeping too much or insomnia
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Anxiety or agitation
  • Loss of appetite or increased craving for food
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Suicidal thoughts

Depression can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks and affect personal relationships.

Depression affects nearly one in fifteen adults, with one in six people experiencing depression at least once in their lifetime. While there are common risk factors for depression (like hormones, brain chemistry, genetics, and environmental factors), depression can affect anyone.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body. According to the CDC, fibromyalgia affects about 4 million Americans every year (2% of the population). Anyone can be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, although symptoms usually appear in middle age. Women are twice as likely as men to have fibromyalgia. The common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

  • Musculoskeletal pain throughout the body
  • Stiffness
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep problems
  • Difficulty with memory, focus, and thinking
  • Headaches
  • Digestive problems
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

There is no known cause of fibromyalgia, but doctors believe it may be caused by intense stress (such as PTSD or a car accident), medical conditions (such as viral infections), mood disorders, or genetics.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a condition described as the excessive feeling of worry, unease, or dread. Anxiety can be treated by a primary care physician, therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist. Having anxiety about a situation or an impending event without a clear-cut outcome is a normal part of life. You may feel anxious before a major deadline at work, while studying for a looming test, or while facing a big decision at home. Though most people feel anxious at some point in their daily life, when it becomes intense, episodic, and unmanageable, it may be due to an underlying anxiety disorder.

How does duloxetine work?

Duloxetine belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which help block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine by our brain cells. Serotonin and norepinephrine are naturally occurring chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) that are responsible for regulating your mood and helping you feel happy. Neurotransmitters send signals between your brain and neurons in the body. Once a signal has been sent, the neuron reabsorbs the serotonin and norepinephrine to be recycled.

Reducing the brain’s reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine increases these mood-regulating neurotransmitters’ levels, which can help balance your mood and relieve a number of conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

How should duloxetine be taken?

Duloxetine is generally available as an oral tablet. If you have been prescribed duloxetine to treat major depressive disorder, your doctor will likely start you with a daily dose of 40 to 60 mg. Depending on your body’s response to this medication, your doctor may increase your dose up to a daily maximum of 120 mg.

For patients with generalized anxiety disorder, preliminary doses of duloxetine usually start at 30-60 mg per day. The preliminary dosage for patients with diabetic neuropathic pain begins at 60 mg per day. For those with chronic musculoskeletal pain, your doctor will likely start dosage at 30 mg per day.

Use duloxetine only as directed by your doctor. Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to use duloxetine.

How long does it take for duloxetine to work?

It may take about 2 to 4 weeks to feel the full effect of duloxetine. If duloxetine is being taken to treat nerve pain, it may take longer for effects to be felt. Before full effects are felt, you may begin to see improvements in your sleep, energy, and appetite in as little as 1-2 weeks. Improvements to these physical symptoms are a good indication that the medication is working. Do not stop taking the medication - even if you begin to feel better - unless you are ordered to do so by your doctor. Suddenly ceasing the use of duloxetine can cause symptoms to recur.

What are the most common side effects of duloxetine?

Most people who take duloxetine will experience no side effects. Some will experience minor side effects that may go away as your body gets used to the medication, such as difficulty sleeping, headaches, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth, sweating, tiredness, decreased appetite, and decreased libido. Consult your doctor if you experience persistent or severe side effects while taking duloxetine.

Serious side effects are rare but may occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience unusual bleeding or bruising, abdominal swelling, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, itching, yellowing of eyes or skin, dark colored urine, extreme tiredness or weakness, confusion, flu-like symptoms, fever, confusion, irregular heartbeat, severe muscle stiffness, blisters, rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hand, feet, ankles, or lower legs.

Do not use duloxetine if you have kidney, liver, or heart problems; have or have had seizures, manic episodes of bipolar disorder; have glaucoma; are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding; or if you have had allergic reactions to duloxetine or similar medications in the past. Also, be sure your doctor is aware of all prescription and non-prescription medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking. This is not a complete list of duloxetine side effects. To learn more about the side effects associated with duloxetine, visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed page.

Antidepressants such as duloxetine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. These medications may change mental health conditions (such as mood and behavior) in unexpected ways. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or other sudden changes in your mental health. Before starting treatment with duloxetine, or any other antidepressant, discuss the risks and benefits of the medication with your doctor.

Can you buy duloxetine online?

Yes, it’s legal and possible to get a prescription for duloxetine online by scheduling an appointment with a licensed medical provider. Fortunately, there are trusted telehealth and marketplaces like Sesame where you can find top-reviewed doctors online and near you, schedule appointments, and, if appropriate, get a prescription for escitalopram at the lowest cash price.

During your appointment, your doctor or provider will assess your medical condition and, if appropriate, write you a prescription. Please note that all prescriptions are at the sole discretion of your provider.

Schedule an appointment today to talk to a doctor about an online prescription for duloxetine HCLR DR (generic Cymbalta).

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Medical disclaimer

Sesame content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical concern, it is critical to seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions. If you are facing a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately.