Cymbalta & Alcohol: Understanding the Risks

What Is Cymbalta (Duloxetine)?

Cymbalta (duloxetine) belongs to the selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) class of drugs. Cymbalta eases symptoms of depression by boosting amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters known to regulate mood and improve one’s overall mental wellbeing.²

Cymbalta is used to treat conditions including:¹

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain

Side Effects of Alcohol & Cymbalta

Both alcohol and Cymbalta can lead to adverse side effects in users. Because alcohol is a depressant that can cause symptoms of depression, mixing it with Cymbalta, an antidepressant, can worsen the side effects of either substance. These reactions may include drowsiness and dizziness.¹

The FDA warns consumers that mixing alcohol and Cymbalta can be life-threatening. Moreover, it can result in hangover anxiety (“hangxiety”) which is an anxious state a person experiences after consuming large amounts of alcohol. This condition can lead to an increase in worry and irritability.³ Therefore, Cymbalta users should avoid drinking alcohol while taking their medication. Before starting a Cymbalta prescription, discuss any associated risks of combining it with alcohol with your physician.

Side effects of Cymbalta may include:¹

• Drowsiness
• Tremors
• Sexual problems
• Sweating
• Sleeping problems
• Appetite issues
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Weight gain or loss

Side effects of alcohol may include:

• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Impaired coordination
• Blackouts
• Alcohol poisoning
• Digestive problems
• Liver damage
• Heart problems
• High blood pressure
• Memory problems

Cymbalta & Alcohol Interactions

Combining alcohol with Cymbalta can affect your judgment, coordination, and motor skills. Additionally, alcohol can intensify depression symptoms and increase the severity of Cymbalta side effects. The combination of these substances can increase sleepiness, thus impairing one’s concentration and ability to perform motor tasks such as driving.

Severe side effects of mixing Cymbalta and alcohol may include:¹

• Worsening symptoms of depression: While Cymbalta helps to manage depression symptoms, mixing it with alcohol can worsen symptoms.
• Trouble sleeping: Combining alcohol and Cymbalta will cause disruptions in one’s sleep cycle.
• Increased risks of alcohol abuse: Mixing Cymbalta and alcohol can lead to worsened depression symptoms, which may increase the risk for alcohol dependency.
• Heart problems: A daily 60 mg or more dose of Cymbalta increases a person’s risk for heart problems. Consuming alcohol can worsen this effect, leading to severe heart problems requiring immediate medical attention.
• Sudden death: Cymbalta and alcohol overdose can impair the normal functioning of one’s heart. This can lead to irregular heart rate resulting in sudden death.
• Suicidal thoughts: Consuming alcohol while taking Cymbalta increases a person’s risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors.
• Amnesia: Alcohol and Cymbalta are associated with impaired memory. Combining the two substances can worsen this effect.
• Convulsions: Mixing alcohol with Cymbalta increases the risk for convulsions, resulting in rapid, rhythmic, and uncontrollable shaking.
• Hyperventilation: Combining alcohol with Cymbalta can lead to increased anxiety and panic attacks, sometimes resulting in rapid breathing and hyperventilation.

Can You Ever Drink While on Cymbalta?

Using alcohol while on Cymbalta medication is highly discouraged. Even if you skip your dose in order to drink, you still put yourself at risk for negative or severe side effects. Cymbalta has a half-life of about 10 to 12 hours, meaning that it takes time for its active ingredient to be completely removed from one’s system.⁴Therefore, consuming alcohol within this time puts you at risk for either overdose or–in extreme cases–sudden death, as the alcohol will interact with the drug.⁵This is the same for those who take small doses of Cymbalta daily.

You should not skip doses of your Cymbalta medication as it is important to keep a stable amount of the medication in your body in order to treat your depression or anxiety.

Can Mixing Cymbalta & Alcohol Kill You?

Overdose can result from combining Cymbalta with alcohol.⁵The severity of one’s overdose depends on several factors including their age, tolerance, health condition, and sex. Mixing the two substances can greatly raise serotonin levels in the body, increasing a person’s risk for serotonin syndrome. This can lead to organ failure and sudden death. Furthermore, binge drinking heightens one’s risk for experiencing overdose and sudden death.⁶

Symptoms of an Cymbalta & Alcohol Overdose

If you are experiencing an overdose due to Cymbalta and alcohol consumption, seek medical attention by calling 9-1-1 for assistance or visiting the nearest hospital immediately.

Symptoms of an overdose of Cymbalta and alcohol may include:

• Convulsions
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Amnesia
• Hyperventilation
• Sleeping problems
• Irregular heart rate

When to Seek Professional Help

If you are worried you may consume alcohol while taking Cymbalta, you should alert your doctor or care team. Your physician may be able to offer an alternative to your prescription. Or, if you have already mixed these substances, a Cymbalta overdose can be managed with supportive care.

Substance abuse and cross-addiction are additional problems associated with alcohol consumption while on Cymbalta. Cross-addictions are likely to occur when one starts to consume other substances when on medication, sometimes leading to addiction. These addictions can occur concurrently or replace another.

Questions to Ask Your Health Team

It is important to understand the risks of mixing Cymbalta with alcohol before starting a medication regime. Additionally, Cymbalta dependency is possible. However, your medical provider is prepared and able to help you find alternative medications or offer further guidance on treatment. Your doctor plays an important role in ensuring you are safe when taking your medication, so be sure to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.

Questions to ask your care team include:

• Is there a safe amount of alcohol I can drink while on Cymbalta?
• Are there alternatives to Cymbalta that will not interact with alcohol?
• What should I do if I drink and have an adverse reaction?
• Can I skip my Cymbalta dose?
• Are there other substances I should avoid when taking Cymbalta?
• What factors could influence the severity of side effects for me?

Final Thoughts

Side effects of mixing Cymbalta with alcohol can be severe, sometimes requiring immediate medication attention. Combining the two can result in increased drowsiness, memory impairments, and poor judgment. Discuss with your doctor regarding any possible side effects or to consider alternative treatment options.