Cymbalta is a fairly new medication approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety. Cymbalta has also been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for two pain conditions: diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It is in the class of medications called Selective Seratonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors or SNRIs. This class of medication works on the brain chemicals or neurotransmitters seratonin and norepinephrine. Reuptake inhibitors reduce that amount of seratonin and norepinephrine that is reabsorbed by the nervous system thereby allowing it to be more available to do its job. These chemicals communicate with areas in the brain that deal with emotion and also in the spinal cord and brain where they are thought to be involved in the body's natural pain coping response. Cymbalta is taken once a day and will take 1 to 4 weeks to begin to work.

Warnings: You should not take Cymbalta if:
*You have recently taken an antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
*You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma>
*You are taking Mellaril (thioridazine).

Cymbalat is not approved in children under 18 years old. Increase in suicidal thoughts may occur when using antidepressants. You should also know that Cymbalta is not approved for use in patients under age 18. Also antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
All patients starting therapy should be monitored and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms.