duloxetine
Duloxetine is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life). Duloxetine is also used to pain associated with diabetic neuropathy (damage to nerves that can develop in people who have diabetes) and fibromyalgia (a long-lasting condition that may cause pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). It is also used to treat ongoing bone or muscle pain. Duloxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking duloxetine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
According to the MotherToBaby fact sheet, it is not known whether duloxetine can make it harder to get pregnant. If you have concerns about fertility while taking this medication, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Does taking duloxetine increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons, and it is not known whether duloxetine increases this chance. Two studies have suggested a slight increase, while other studies have not found an increased chance, and depression itself may also play a role. Anyone with questions about their individual situation should speak with their healthcare provider.
Does taking duloxetine increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy begins with a background risk of 3–5% for birth defects. According to the fact sheet, taking duloxetine in pregnancy is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects above this background risk. Individual questions should be reviewed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking duloxetine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
Some studies suggest that taking duloxetine throughout pregnancy might increase the chance of complications such as high blood pressure disorders and heavy bleeding after birth. However, untreated depression has also been linked to pregnancy complications, making it difficult to determine whether the medication, the underlying condition, or other factors are responsible. Use during pregnancy may also cause temporary newborn symptoms (sometimes called withdrawal), such as breathing problems, jitteriness, irritability, or feeding difficulties, which are usually mild and resolve within a few weeks—this is something to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Can taking duloxetine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
The fact sheet notes that studies have not been done to determine whether duloxetine can cause behavior or learning issues in the child. Because this question has not been well studied, any concerns should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking duloxetine?
Duloxetine passes into breastmilk in small amounts, and harmful effects in breastfed infants have not been reported, according to the fact sheet. If a baby shows symptoms such as being too sleepy or having poor weight gain, the child's healthcare provider should be contacted. Decisions about breastfeeding while taking duloxetine should be made together with your healthcare provider.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
duloxetine