[landensmom1]

hi, this is my first post here, but i was wondering if anyone takes phentermine with cymbalta? or if not if you know any info on this? im taking cymbalta and i love it( except for it makes me really tired in the morning) but i really want to get some more of my weight off from my son, and im alittle scared of the combo. i dont want to ask the doc, cause they always say not to take these drugs together, i just need to klnow if its fatal to take together. thank you lisa

[ACE223]

Like many medicines, Cymbalta works to treat more than one condition. Cymbalta has been approved by the FDA for both the treatment of depression and the management of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Cymbalta (an SSNRI) targets two chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine, that are believed to play a role in how the brain and body affect mood and pain.

PHENTERMINE
Caution patient to avoid using alcohol or other CNS depressants with this medication


You should ask your doc about this.

[Ian]

Thanks for the info, Ace. I also just found this info saying you shouldn't
combine these drugs.

Click here to read about the interactions between Phentermine and Cymbalta.

GENERALLY AVOID:
Several case reports suggest that patients treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) may exhibit an increased sensitivity to sympathomimetic agents. The mechanism of interaction is unclear. The reaction has been reported when fluoxetine was used concomitantly with phentermine, amphetamine, or phenylpropanolamine. Additionally, some sympathomimetic agents (e.g., amphetamines) may possess serotonergic activity and should generally not be administered with SRIs because of the additive risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A receptors. The interaction occurred in a patient treated with dexamphetamine approximately 2 weeks after the addition of venlafaxine. The medications were discontinued and the patient was given cyproheptadine for suspected serotonin syndrome, whereupon symptoms promptly resolved. A second episode occurred when dexamphetamine was subsequently resumed and citalopram added. The patient improved following cessation of citalopram on his own, and residual symptoms were successfully treated with cyproheptadine.

MANAGEMENT:
In general, amphetamines should not be combined with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Close monitoring for enhanced sympathomimetic effects is recommended if these agents must be used together. Patients should also be monitored for signs and symptoms of excessive serotonergic activity such as CNS irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, myoclonus, ataxia, abdominal cramping, hyperpyrexia, shivering, pupillary dilation, diaphoresis, hypertension, and tachycardia.