I have been experiencing severe diarrhea since starting Cymbalta after two weeks. I stopped the drug for 10 days and have noticed improvement. I have also noticed severe increase In my pain level. Has anybody else experience severe diarrhea with cymbalta?
Cymbalta and diarrhea?
Question posted by Betzbill on 15 July 2013
Last updated on 12 March 2024 by gbodine
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
18 Answers
gbodine
12 March 2024
Good morning! I recently took 20 mg. of Duloxetine for 3 days and began to have a loose stool. In 2023 and 2022 I had Microscopic Colitis. Dealing with a loose stool is bad. After reading several comments on your page, I have made the decision to stop taking Duloxetine. My arthritis pain is less difficult than dealing with long term diarrhea. BTW, for others dealing with diarrhea check out the low FODMAP diet. There are several apps (FIG, FODMAP AtoZ) that you can carry on your phone, the list of safe foods for diarrhea is much more comprehensive than the BRAT diet.
fran l
12 Feb 2023
I’ve been taking cymbalta 3 weeks. My stomach pain is getting worse and the diarrhea terrible. I lowered my dose today. Going back to Effexor.
Any idea how to wean myself off properly. I can’t deal with this anymore
Trusad4
20 March 2022
Yes.. I can't eat anything.. Severe diarrhea and pooping while I'm asleep too, I basically have to wear something that won't mess up my clothes, I'm afraid to go outside.. I'm about to stop taking the drug because if I pass gas? Yes I have to go check,. I'm uncomfortable,.
WildcatVet
20 March 2022
Diarrhea is a very common side effect with Cymbalta and most other antidepressants. You should report it to your doctor and, meanwhile, ask your pharmacist for a recommendation of an OTC remedy. There are some that are very helpful. The good news is that side effects generally resolve within a couple of weeks.
"Very common (10% or more of users): Dry mouth (up to 15%), abdominal pain (up to 13%), diarrhea (up to 13%)
Common (1% to 10% of users): Dyspepsia, flatulence, loose stools, stomach discomfort"
Ldgw
20 March 2022
I tried to “ride out” the HORRIBLE diarrhea, thinking my body had to adjust. I then developed a high fever and was throwing up. Was admitted to the hospital with a kidney infection — no doubt from “Cymbalta”-diarrhea contamination, as careful as I tried to be.
GI doctor took a small biopsy of my colon and their suspicions were correct: drug-induced (Cymbalta) microscopic colitis. I ended up on oral steroids for three months. (Luckily, the use a steroid specific to the colon and not system-wide.) The gastroenterologist said they see it a lot with certain drugs, Cymbalta one of them.
It was from the serotonin which is released in the GI system. In fact, I was told that your body releases it naturally in amts required to induce diarrhea when you’ve ingested something you should not have.
So my suggestion, after going through all my awful diarrhea, and the aftermath, is to contact your doctor and taper off Cymbalta. And if diarrhea continues, see a GI specialist. Or maybe best to see a gastroenterologist first of it’s been going on for awhile. While in the hospital, the hospitalist, who acts as your “attending” while in hospital, never heard of it/never suspected it. I was the one who asked for the GI consult, but had no idea it was going to be diagnosed as microscopic colitis.
Cymbaltab2022
19 Feb 2022
Cymbalta causes severe stomach and intestinal distress for me,( explosive diarrhea, severe nausea, intestinal pain, headache). I have tried multiple times to use Cymbalta thinking it was another issue, results always the same.
Ldgw
11 June 2021
I tried Cymbalta several years ago and four wks after I graduated from 20mg to 40 mg the watery diarrhea kicked in. I didn’t want to deal with it, even though I responded so well on that 40 mg. It stopped after reducing my dosage to 20mg.
Fast forward to now. After several years on Zoloft with so-so results, and longing for how I felt on 40mg Cymbalta, I’m trying it again. Began 20mg two weeks ago and the explosive diarrhea started after one week this time!
I had researched it last time and learned Serotonin is released in your intestines, and if you eat something bad for you, it’s your body’s way to clear it out via diarrhea! So the diarrhea is related to Cymbalta’s involvement with that and not Cymbalta “being hard” on the GI track.
This time I’m stocked up on Imodium! I try not to take it when at home, and when I do leave, I take initial 2tab dose, and carry some with me. (Is this next part TMI? I bought urinary incontinence pads, and adhere them “further back”, lol. So far it’s been not necessary, but is for peace of mind). I’m holding out hope this will eventually subside. I read here it could take 60 days, and I’m hoping that is worst case scenario!
If the diarrhea subsides, I’m hoping to increase my dosage to 40mg as previously that seemed to be my sweet spot.
Today is June 11, 2021. I promise to update my progress re: cessation of diarrhea, or if I gave up. If I’ve not updated, it means diarrhea is still sticking around and I’m sticking it out!
ShirleyRiley4
12 June 2020
I am having same problem with Cymbalta. Into the new regime about two weeks, I started having severe diarrhea. I am now past a month of starting this drug and I still am having severe diarrhea. I have tried everything to stop it and so far nothing works.
Gail1955
12 July 2019
YES! I had been taking duloxetine, 40 mg once daily for 2 1/2 months (neurologist prescribed for cervical spondylosis and nerve pain). Then the explosive diarrhea started. I finally saw my regular dr 2 weeks after diarrhea started. Blood Work and stool samples all negative. She did mention that it could be duloxetine(generic Cymbalta). I had lost 9 lbs in 2 months. Now she wants a colonoscopy. After researching the drug's side effects on sites like this, I decided to begin weaning myself off. The diarrhea persists, now day 40. I am experiencing vertigo, weakness and infrequent jerking. Thank goodness I do not work! As far as increased pain, I do take hydrocodone and sleep well with gummies from a dispensary. Bottom line, I feel as if I eat anything not on a BRAT diet (bananas, rice,applesauce, toast), I can't leave my house. The explosive diarrhea is chronic but with less stomach cramping. Oh, and 4 Imodium a day.
I see no end in sight and I worry about my weight loss. 40 days of diarrhea is criminal. Duloxetine should be taken off the market.
colourfulsevens
13 Dec 2018
After struggling with visceral hypersensitivity in relation to IBS, I was prescribed 30mg of duloxetine. Never again am I going to be taking this. I took the first tablet on the afternoon of December 10th, 2018, and within an hour I'd started to feel drowsy. I then started to feel so nauseous that just the thought of eating made it worse, but because my weight is so low I had to eat something. Big mistake. The nausea never turned into vomiting, thankfully, but it did intensify significantly and I spent the rest of the night with my head over the toilet bowl. After finally getting to sleep I was woken up on December 11th by explosive diarrhea that caused me to make at least 5-6 bathroom trips in five hours. I collapsed due to low blood pressure/sugar because there was nothing left in my body.
I thought I'd settled down on the 12th when I began to feel vaguely normal and had stopped needing the bathroom so urgently, but here I am in my bed on December 13th still suffering with bouts of loose stools and diarrhea. I've read around the Internet and found that taking Loperamide (as I do daily) can stop your body from correctly metabolising duloxetine, which might be extending its effects, but this is has been a hideous week. Awful tablet.
DSchouw
26 July 2018
I had the same problem at 30 mg after the very first dose. My doctor suggested it for severe radiculopathy and spinal stenosis obviously this is not a medication I will be taking again.
CShelley
22 July 2018
I just started today Cymbalta 30mg. I have been going to bathroom all day and today is day 1. I'm concerned because I'm needing something for depression. I have stage 4 cancer to my bones, originally I had breast cancer 12 years ago. If I still have this problem in next 3 days I am stopping and reaching out to my doctor.
Pjweinand
10 July 2018
I just started cymbalta on June 5 th 2018. I am now experiencing SEVERE DIARRHEA every time i eat / drink. I have ruled out so many things EXCEPT i didn’t check cymbalta!! I am calling doc tomorrow as I’ve had incidents where i didn’t make it to the bathroom on time.
Yocart
24 July 2018
I am on 60 mg of cymbalta for 4 wks and no problems, suddenly severe diarrhea. I didnt connect dots at first and called my dr. He prescribed 2 antibiotics which made me sicker. I realized suddenly about cymbalta and wondered if that was the prob. Call in to dr now. What did your dr tell you. Thanks
Gail1955
14 Aug 2019
After 2 weeks of explosive diarrhea, I saw my internist. Blood Work and stool samples all normal. She did touch on the fact that i had been on duloxetine for 1 month 40mgs, which could be the cause. After researching the side effects of this drug, reading posts from FB page Cymbalta Survivor Group, I weaned myself off. I still have diarrhea, lost 15lbs in 2 months. Imodium helps and the BRAT diet but still soft stool. From what I have read, it can take forever for your GI system to normalize. I am on 60 days of issues with diarrhea. So, hydrate, Gatorade and Imodium. Hang in there.
mwjwriter
29 June 2018
I've been on 90 mg. of cymbalta for over 10 years and never had any diarrhea. In fact, it makes me constipated.
Jodiejean
28 June 2018
I’m currently taking cymbalta and I’m experiencing severe diarrhea. My dose doubled to 60mg about a week ago and I’ve had severe diarrhea for about a week. Since you did, too I’m going to call my dr tomorrow. Hope you’re doing well!
Scangirl1066
18 May 2018
I started on Cymbalta, for the second time in 10 years, this past February. About 2 weeks later, Iater I began experiencing horrific explosive, uncontrolled, diarrhea. Since I didn't have an issue with that the 1st time around, I did not associate the two. I was on the 30 mg strength, and only made the connection when I noticed the worst times were when I'd had to take 60mg because my fibro pain was was so bad. I'd been to an Urgent care, and 2 different family practice doctors. None of them connected the dots. I was taking 3-4 Imodium a day, along with Bentyl for the spasms, Pepto bismol, and Lactaid (just in case). I took myself off the Cymbalta, albeit not in the recommended way. But, the diarrhea was affecting my life so negatively, I felt I had no choice. My withdrawal symptoms have been worsened fatigue, some insomnia, and recurrence of my fibro pain.
It's been 6 days without the Cymbalta, and the diarrhea seems to have gone away, and I'm cautiously optimistic. I've gone from horrid cramping, abdominal pain, and episodes of 15 to 20 movements in a 2 hour span, soiling myself, and wearing diapers, to having normal movements and ditching all the other meds. It stinks (haha) that I'm forced to choose between soiling myself and living in a bathroom, or having minimal to no fibro symptoms.
MiaPsycho
30 April 2018
I've been on Cymbalta for almost 30 days and I've had chronic diarrhea since starting it. Everytime I eat I have to run to the bathroom right after. I now have to carry extra clothes just in case. I started Cymbalta and Singulair at the same time so I'm not sure which one it is but in my opinion it has to be one. I'm also nauseated after I eat and I've been having more migraines.
Related topics
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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