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Is Cymbalta A Narcotic Medication?

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Posted on Wed, 16 Aug 2017
Question: is cymbalta a narcotic that is habit forming
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not a bit

Detailed Answer:
It is an antidepressant without any narcotic action. It's method of being an antidepressant is to increase the amount of serotonin and stress hormones in the brain. The serotonin is in no way addictive and might even help people to get off of drugs of abuse/addiction. Increased stress hormones in the brain can be a problem but there is absolutely no evidence of any addiction with cymbalta, nor signs/evidence that cymbalta is similar to other stress hormone raisers that are addictive. They work differently and the ones that are drugs of abuse produce way more increase in the chemicals in the brain. Is stress addictive ? It also increases stress hormone levels in the brain like cymbalta. Maybe. A little. Not enough that either would be a controlled drug.
It is uncommon but there can be withdrawal when stopping any antidepressant. mostly, the depression comes back. In cymbalta it is conceivable but not really a known problem that people could get a withdrawal down feeling from not having the stress hormones in the brain. This just is not found to be a problem. The depression coming back, that can happen.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Is Cymbalta A Narcotic Medication?

Brief Answer: Not a bit Detailed Answer: It is an antidepressant without any narcotic action. It's method of being an antidepressant is to increase the amount of serotonin and stress hormones in the brain. The serotonin is in no way addictive and might even help people to get off of drugs of abuse/addiction. Increased stress hormones in the brain can be a problem but there is absolutely no evidence of any addiction with cymbalta, nor signs/evidence that cymbalta is similar to other stress hormone raisers that are addictive. They work differently and the ones that are drugs of abuse produce way more increase in the chemicals in the brain. Is stress addictive ? It also increases stress hormone levels in the brain like cymbalta. Maybe. A little. Not enough that either would be a controlled drug. It is uncommon but there can be withdrawal when stopping any antidepressant. mostly, the depression comes back. In cymbalta it is conceivable but not really a known problem that people could get a withdrawal down feeling from not having the stress hormones in the brain. This just is not found to be a problem. The depression coming back, that can happen.