when do most take their pills, day, night, 2 pills at a time or 1 pill twice a day, morning and evening? i am also on the Butrans Pain patch for osteoporosis pain. my recent bone density test -4.6 also on Buspirone 2 tablets twice daily and various other drugs for COPD. I was prescribed Cymbalta for osteoporosis pain but have also experience a better attitude, i wake up with goals for the day, b/4 i woke up depressed with no "gumpsion" to do much of anything.
How do you take cymbalta, 2 pills daily, 1st script - 2 pills night, next script 1 twice a day??
Question posted by AMBERRDM on 11 June 2012
Last updated on 17 September 2018
9 Answers
quartermiler
18 May 2018
I suffer from medication resistant major depression. Cymbalta has been the only anti-depressant that has even given me mild assistance (in addition to other medications for treatment). I was previously on 60mg once daily. My Psychiatrist is trialing an increased dose to 60mg twice daily. I am taking one capsule in the a.m. and the second in the p.m. I have no problem with this dosing regimen. However, as a Cardiac Nurse, I would always recommend consulting with your Physician regarding dosing schedule.
Leerah
17 Sep 2018
Sounds like your body has very little serotonin for the drugs to work with. Perhaps you should research how to increase the serotonin in your gut so the meds have more to use? Meds need something to 'reuptake'. Certain foods, exercise, and even 5htp can help the body make its own serotonin, rather than asking the meds to just recycle it. Once you have a little serotonin for the meds to work with then you might feel more effect from the meds.
WildcatVet
4 Sep 2017
*Administer CYMBALTA at a total dose of 40 mg/day (given as 20 mg twice daily) to 60 mg/day (given either once daily or as 30 mg twice daily). *
It may be taken either way but if once daily in the morning suits you better... so be it.
Miscee
4 Sep 2017
Has anyone out there take 60 mg of cymbalta twice a day? Do you take both pills at once? In the morning or at night? I have found if I take one at night I can't sleep. So, I started taking them both at the same time in the morning. This is only my third day so it's trial and error. Any deedback is appreciated. Thanks.
healthy Christina
4 Sep 2017
When I was on it, I was prescribed both in the morning because of the fact it could interfere with sleep. I was taking it for depression.
InnerSpirit
15 June 2012
Hi InnerSpirit here . I was prescribed to take it at night. In your case as long as it remains in your bloodstream I don't think it matters as long as you keep them straight and don't get confused. InnerSpirit
Inactive
11 June 2012
Hello AMBERRDM. Take as perscribed or as you feel comfortable with. You are taking it for pain, which allows you a lot more freedom vs say if you were taking the drug for depression/anxiety and a more rigid schedule. Regards pledge
bumblebee90
11 June 2012
Hey there Pledge. Was drinking my cuppa and thought I'de say a quick hello. Hope things are going well in your part of the world. Your friend~Ruthie
Inactive
13 June 2012
Doing well Ruthie. Been away for a day or two. Fresh pot perking so if you're up to it, have a fresh cuppa :-0) Take care now.
butterflylynn
11 June 2012
I would definately call your dr. for more clear instructions. But when I was first put on Cymbalta I started with taking 30 mg twice a day. I was told to take one in the morning & one at night. They usually start you on a low dosage to begin with twice a day for a month & if you do not have any side effects & it is helping you they will change it.
After the 1st month they changed mine to taking one 60mg only in the morning.
I have been on 60mg once a day for about 5 years & I have not had any side effects from this medication but I know others have. So be sure to go online & check out the list of side effects for Cymbalta so you can watch out for any of them.
I wish you the best of luck & I hope you find relief.
AMBERRDM
11 June 2012
thank you Butterfly for your answer. this is only my 2nd month on cymbalta, i also haven't seen side effects. I told many of my friends how much a difference i felt, i like the meds. Again i can't say how much its helping with pain, i also started the Butrans pain at the same time, so not sure which is helping more! It has helped alot with my emotional state!
butterflylynn
11 June 2012
You are very welcome & I am very glad that it is working for you. I have found it helped me alot also. It may also be the combination of the two meds together that is helping. I am just glad you found some relief, Best wishes, Kathy
Inactive
11 June 2012
I took my 60 mgs of Cymbalta every morning. I have never been told otherwise.
Just sayin',
Peace,
Hippie
Inactive
11 June 2012
Of course,
You could ask your doc.
Truth75
28 Oct 2016
I take 20mg twice a day... no weight gain,actually gotta make myself eat... just get real bad headaches though... is this normal?
LaurieShay
11 June 2012
Not sure what dose you are on, but I took my Cymbalta first thing in the morning. The key is to take the med at about the same time everyday so to have a consistent level in your blood.
AMBERRDM
11 June 2012
30 mg, my confusion is in the different instructions with my 1st and 2nd scripts. it started my wondering if it would be better to take 1 pill in the am and 1 pill in the pm instead of 2 pills at bedtime.
LaurieShay
11 June 2012
Honestly, it doesn't really matter. If you have a problem with insomnia, I would take in the morning and there is no reason to space the pills out, taking both in the morning or night is going to give the same results as taking one in the am and one in the pm.
AMBERRDM
11 June 2012
thank you LaurieShay, the mention of insomnia is interesting, i thought i was told (1st script) to take 2 pills at bedtime to help me sleep with the pain. i guess i'm not thinking about the meds in my blood level. i thought more of them like a pain pill that you have to take several times daily or as pain worsens.
LaurieShay
11 June 2012
Nope not like a pain pill in that regard. Have to reach a theraputic level in the blood and then maintain it to get maximum benefit hence the need to take at same time every day.
balbanese
11 June 2012
I found Cymbalta to be horrible. I felt like a zombie and I gained a ton of weight and flu-like symptoms. As for your question you should take it as directed, you want to follow the directions because this stuff (again. for me) is horrible. Hope this helps.
Related topics
cymbalta, depression, osteoporosis, anxiety, osteoarthritis, pain, generalized anxiety disorder, butrans
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