Posted by blueberry on January 14, 2006, at 6:38:59
In reply to Why isn't CYMBALTA as popular as one would think?, posted by qbsbrown on January 14, 2006, at 3:28:25
I would think cymbalta should be a lot more popular than it is. It may be that it is still considered fairly new by many doctors, mine included, and they tend to stick with what they are familiar with.
On paper at least, there are a lot of positives about cymbalta. For example, its serotonin to norepinephrine ratio is 9 to 1, whereas its competitor effexor is 30 to 1. So there is more norepinephrine action with cymbalta. Plus it has more domamine reuptake inhibition. And all of it comes in linear fashion at any dose, whereas with effexor it requires higher doses to get the norepinephrine or dopamine effects. On paper, cymbalta's side effects and withdrawals are easier than effexor. Cymbalta can be manipulated dramatically with other meds...zyprexa or seroquel or remeron or any antagonistic drug can dramatically enhance either norepinephrine or dopamine or both in the presence of cymbalta, far more than any drug alone. Of course though, how any of this "on paper" stuff translates into the real world is yet to be seen, since it is still fairly new and there isn't a whole lot of experience with it.
I've tried cymbalta several times at miniscule doses...a laughable 1mg to 2mg, and for me I really like it. I am trying other natural things right now, but whenever I really need immediate help, micro doses of cymbalta lift me up dramatically in hours.
poster:blueberry
thread:598954
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060108/msgs/598964.html