Dulo 40mg Tablet is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, diabetic nerve pain, fibromyalgia (a condition in which there are generalized pain and tenderness in the body), neuropathic pain, and stress urinary incontinence.
Dulo 40mg Tablet works by increasing the level of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline) in the brain that have a calming effect on the brain and relax the nerves, thus treating your illness. It may be taken with or without food. It is advised to take this medicine at a fixed time each day to maintain a consistent level in the blood. If you miss any doses, take it as soon as you remember. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. This medication mustn't be stopped suddenly as it may worsen your symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, headache, decreased libido, abnormal dreams, blurred vision, and dry mouth. It even causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. However, these side effects are temporary and usually resolve on their own in some time. Please consult your doctor if these do not subside or bother you.
Before taking Dulo 40mg Tablet, inform your doctor if you have any problems with your kidneys, heart, liver, or have a history of seizures (epilepsy or fits). Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or if you have any suicidal thoughts.
High levels of blood sugar (glucose) levels in diabetic patients can cause damage to nerves and this can cause pain sensation. Dulo 40mg Tablet helps reduce this damage by affecting chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. By relieving pain, it helps improve your quality of life.
In Treatment of Depression
Dulo 40mg Tablet increases the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that improve our mood and behavior. This creates a feeling of wellbeing, relieves anxiety, reduces tension, helps you sleep better, and increases your energy levels. It is an effective antidepressant but may cause drowsiness. You need to take it regularly as it is prescribed for it to be most effective and should not stop taking it suddenly, even if you feel better, as it may worsen your condition.
In Treatment of Anxiety disorder
Dulo 40mg Tablet stops your brain from releasing the chemicals that make you feel anxious so it can reduce the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry. It can also reduce feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable, and sleep problems that often come with Anxiety Disorder. It will therefore help you go about your daily activities more easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly can cause serious problems.
In Treatment of Neuropathic pain
Dulo 40mg Tablet is used to treat long-lasting (chronic) pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury. It interferes with pain signals that travel through the damaged nerves and the brain. Taking this medicine regularly will improve your physical and social functioning and overall quality of life. It takes a few weeks to work so you need to take it regularly even if you feel it is not doing any good.
In Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Dulo 40mg Tablet may also be used to treat pain in people with fibromyalgia. It reduces pain and also the mood changes, sleep problems, and tiredness that can be caused by the pain. It interferes with pain messages traveling through the brain. Taking this medicine regularly will have an impact on your overall quality of life. Keep taking the medicine until your doctor advises you to stop.
In Treatment of Stress urinary incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence refers to the loss of urine without conscious intention. It may occur due to a disturbed state of mind and thoughts. Dulo 40mg Tablet helps in increasing the activity of those nerves in the brain that control muscles in our bladder that are responsible for passing urine. This helps in improving bladder control.
Side effects of Dulo Tablet
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Dulo
Nausea
Headache
Dryness in mouth
Sleepiness
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Decreased libido
Abnormal dreams
How to use Dulo Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Dulo 40mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Dulo Tablet works
Dulo 40mg Tablet works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline), natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance and stop the movement of pain signals in the brain.
Safety advice
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Dulo 40mg Tablet.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Dulo 40mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Dulo 40mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Dulo 40mg Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Dulo 40mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Dulo 40mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
UNSAFE
Dulo 40mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Dulo Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Dulo 40mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Concomitant use may cause an increase in blood serotonin levels. Patients may experience agitation, increased body temperature, fast heartbeat, muscle rigidity, and loss of coordin... More
Concomitant use may cause an increase in blood serotonin levels. Patients may experience agitation, increased body temperature, fast heartbeat, muscle rigidity, and loss of coordin... More
Concomitant use may cause an increase in blood serotonin levels. Patients may experience agitation, increased body temperature, fast heartbeat, muscle rigidity, and loss of coordin... More
Concurrent use may cause serotonin syndrome.
If concurrent use is essential, watch out for symptoms of serotonin syndrome such as tremors, fever, diarrhea or agitation and consult... More
Depression is a persistent state of sadness that is the result of interaction between one's inner biological and psychological state and gets triggered of with environmental stressors. Endogenous depression occurs without any noticeable environmental stressors.Anxiety is the result of a hyperarousal state of nervous system due to a low threshold for threat perception. In simpler words, it's an ongoing flight or fight response. It can elicit a neuro-hormonal response understood as Flight or Fright reaction kicking in physiological cascade of symptoms ranging from palpitations, tachycardia, breathlessness, increased bowel movement, increase frequency of urination, dizziness, muscle tension or pain, trembling, dizziness, blurring of vision to restlessness, confusion and fainting spells Identifying your stressors, learning to deal with them, de stressing regularly by doing something that makes one feel good, yoga and meditation are some non pharmacological strategies to deal with it. If the condition is persisting for a long time, it's better to see a psychiatrist.
Fibromyalgia pain and stress and constipation Please suggest medicine for pain
Dr. Shallu Garg
Pain and Stress Management
Ashwagandharizhtam 15-15 ml twice a day with equal quantity of water Triphla ghrit half tsp twice a day with warm milk Abhyarishtam 15-15 ml twice a day with equal quantity of water
Chest pain can occur due to anxiety and stress. Following link can clarify the symptomatology- http://drjyotikapoor.com/2015/01/26/stress-its-effects-on-our-body-and-mind/
Depression is a persistent state of sadness that is the result of interaction between one's inner biological and psychological state and gets triggered of with environmental stressors. Reactive depression is in response to a situation like loss, sickness, trauma etc. Endogenous depression occurs without any noticeable environmental stressors. Psychological symptoms include lack of interest, negative thinking, irritability, frustration, feeling demotivated etc. Somatic symptoms like fatigue/ weakness/ lack of sleep/ lack of appetite and other physical symptoms are common. Anxiety is common. In severe cases one may feel helpless and hopeless enough to wish for death or attempt suicide. Treatment includes physical and psychiatric work up following which medicines can be prescribed. In milder cases, psychotherapy or counselling is recommended.
In people with depression and anxiety, Dulo 40mg Tablet mostly starts working within two weeks of treatment. However, you may take 2-4 weeks to feel better. Consult your doctor if you do not see any improvement after this time. In people with diabetic neuropathic pain, you may take a few weeks to feel better. Consult your doctor if you do not feel better after 2 months.
If I start feeling better, can I stop taking Dulo 40mg Tablet?
No, you should not stop Dulo 40mg Tablet suddenly and without consulting your doctor. In cases of depression and anxiety, if you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may reduce your doses gradually. In case of pain and incontinence, if you are feeling better, continue taking it for the long term. Your doctor will keep monitoring your response to the medicine every few months.
Is Dulo 40mg Tablet highly addictive?
No, Dulo 40mg Tablet is not habit-forming (addictive). This means that it does not make you physically or psychologically dependent on it.
What will be the consequences if I stop taking Dulo 40mg Tablet suddenly?
If you stop Dulo 40mg Tablet suddenly, you may feel dizzy, tired, agitated or restless, anxious and irritated. You may also experience sleep disturbances (vivid dreams, nightmares, inability to sleep), nausea, vomiting, shaking, muscle pain, diarrhea, a piercing sensation (pins and needles) especially in the head, and excessive sweating or vertigo. Always consult your doctor before you stop taking Dulo 40mg Tablet. Your doctor will reduce the dose gradually.
I am taking warfarin, does Dulo 40mg Tablet interfere with warfarin? Is it safe to take both together?
You should be cautious if you are taking both Dulo 40mg Tablet and warfarin since there is a risk of bleeding or you may experience petechiae or purpura.
Is Dulo 40mg Tablet safe to use for long term?
Dulo 40mg Tablet is safe to use for a long duration, provided you follow your doctor’s advice regarding the treatment.
I am a hypertensive patient. I have noticed that my blood pressure has increased after I started taking Dulo 40mg Tablet. Is it because of Dulo 40mg Tablet, what should be done?
Dulo 40mg Tablet may cause an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, regular monitoring of blood pressure is required, especially during the first month of use. If your blood pressure increase is constant, consult your doctor. It may indicate that your Dulo 40mg Tablet dose either needs to be reduced or discontinued gradually.
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.
References
Stahl SM, editor. Duloxetine. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 219-24.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 442-43.
Duloxetine hydrochloride. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Eli Lilly and Company Limited; 2004 [revised 09 Nov. 2018]. [Accessed 23 Jan. 2019] (online) Available from:
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Duloxetine. [Updated 2020 Jan 20]. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Duloxetine Gastro-Resistant Tablets [Patient Information Sheet]. Gangtok, Sikkim: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2022. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024] (online) Available from: