My doctor just prescribed 60 mgs of Cymbalta and discontinued my Wellbutrin 300mgs for depression and anxiety. Instructions say take 1 daily but doesn't specify when. In my reading I've seen it taken either at dinner or in the morning. Because of the side effects I've decided to start it on the weekend but wanted to know from people with experience what time worked best for them.
What's the best time of day to take Cymbalta?
Question posted by DockeryN on 13 Aug 2015
Last updated on 13 August 2015 by hankmac
4 Answers
hankmac
13 Aug 2015
Hi -- My doctor instructed me to take Cymbalta (all 120 mg) in the morning. So I've added it to my other morning regime of 1 150 mg Lyrica (2 more 150s later in the day), 1 Baclofen, and 1 325/5 Percocet. I am able to do this all on an empty stomach without any trouble so I'm know I'm really lucky. So long way of saying it all depends on what your doctor thinks (ask him or her!) and of course what your stomach will take. . I usually drink a couple of big mugs of hot tea with this and then have breakfast. Hope this helps. Hank.
MeggieGirl
13 Aug 2015
I was on Cymbalta for many years, and I always took it in the morning. I know there are some people who feel sparked awake by it, and if they took it at night they would have horrible insomnia. There are some others who feel the exact opposite and feel fatigued, so taking it at night is the right choice for them. I have also heard of a third category of person, who wants the blood plasma levels of the medication to remain more level, so they take 30mg in the morning and 30mg at night.
If you haven't been given instruction from your doctor or pharmacist, a short period of experimentation should give you the answer, just be careful that you aren't inadvertently doubling up your dose by taking a dose at night then another in the morning - that's too soon. It's great that you're doing this over the weekend.
I honestly think that a quick call to the pharmacist might head you in the right direction. It's possible that due to human error someone left that instruction off the bottle, and they can pull up the image of the original script, or at least counsel you based on their experience and training.
Best of luck to you! :) Meg
LaurieShay
13 Aug 2015
I always took mine at breakfast. I just wanted to mention that if the doctor abruptly stopped the Wellbutrin and placed you immediately at 60mgs Cymbalta, you will most likely experience some withdrawal from stopping the Wellbutrin as well as side effects from starting the Cymbalta. Usually, the doctor tapers you off one while tapering up on the other. That being shared, follow your doctor's instructions. Be prepared for some nausea, diarrhea, and heightened anxiety and depression until the Cymbalta has time to build in your system which can take several weeks.
Kayvangale
13 Aug 2015
Hello, great idea to take the new medication over the weekend, preferably take it with food . You can experiment and try to take it in morning and see if that suits you well, how you react to it. The benefit to taking the medication in the evening after supper time is that it can enter your blood while your sleeping so that if it makes you feel tired, nauseous, etc you won't experience the side effects. You can sleep through the side effects.
Related topics
cymbalta, depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, doctor, prescription
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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