Loxever (Duloxetine)

Dosage form:

Capsules 20, 30, 60 mg

What is Loxever (duloxetine) used for?

• It is used to treat low mood (depression).
• It is used to treat anxiety.
• It is used to help painful nerve diseases and diabetic nerve problems.
• It is used to ease long-term pain problems.
• It is used to treat fibromyalgia.
• It may be given to you for other reasons.

Important notes before taking Loxever (duloxetine):

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to duloxetine or any other part of this drug. 
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs: Ciprofloxacin or fluvoxamine, Thioridazine, Linezolid or methylene blue.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson’s disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking Loxever (duloxetine) within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Important notes while taking Loxever (duloxetine):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• Low blood pressure, falls, and passing out have happened with this drug.The chance of falling is raised with older people. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you.
• Have your eye pressure checked.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• This drug may raise the chance of bleeding. Sometimes, bleeding can be life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.
• Serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you take this drug with drugs for depression, migraines, or certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; very bad diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.
• Some people may have a higher chance of eye problems with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take it.
• If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
• This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. Taking this drug in the third trimester of pregnancy may lead to some health problems in the newborn. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Loxever (duloxetine) side effects: 

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds; coughing up blood; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; vaginal bleeding that is not normal; bruises without a reason or that get bigger; or any bleeding that is very bad or that you cannot stop;
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight;
• Memory problems or loss;
• Ringing in ears;
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed;
• A big weight gain or loss;
• Sex problems like lowered interest in sex or ejaculation problems;
• Liver problems have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes;
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up;
• Constipation;
• Diarrhea;
• Headache;
• Dry mouth;
• Not able to sleep;
• Feeling sleepy;
• Not hungry;
• Sweating a lot;
• Feeling tired or weak;
• Dizziness;
• Weight loss.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. 

Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Keep this drug out of reach of children.
• Store at room temperature and in a dry place.  
• Protect from light.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.