Irenka

Irenka is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SNRI).

Irenka is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults. This medicine is also used to treat general anxiety disorder in adults and children who are at least 7 years old.

Irenka is also used in adults to treat diabetic nerve pain or chronic muscle or joint pain (such as low back pain and osteoarthritis pain).

Some brands of duloxetine are also used to treat fibromyalgia (a chronic pain disorder). Drizalma is for treating fibromyalgia only in adults. Cymbalta may be used to treat fibromyalgia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old.

Irenka may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Taking Irenka in higher doses or more frequently than prescribed will not make it work better and may increase side effects.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

You can take it with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked regularly.

Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, difficulty reaching orgasm, or (in men) issues with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.

Your symptoms may not get better for up to 4 weeks.

Do not stop using Irenka suddenly, as this could lead to unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling, or electric shock sensations). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when they first start taking a medicine to treat depression. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any sudden changes in your mood or behavior, or if you have thoughts about suicide.

Do not stop using Irenka without first consulting your doctor.

You should not use Irenka if you are allergic to it.

Do not take Irenka within 5 days before or 14 days after using an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. A dangerous drug interaction could occur.

Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with Irenka could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 7 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, high blood pressure;
• liver or kidney disease;
• slow digestion;
• a seizure;
• bleeding problems;
• sexual problems;
• narrow-angle glaucoma;
• bipolar disorder (manic depression);
• drug addiction or suicidal thoughts; or
• if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Taking Irenka during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop Irenka without asking your doctor.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of duloxetine on the baby.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness, feeding problems, and slow weight gain in the nursing baby.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worsening depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or harming yourself.

Irenka may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• feeling light-headed, like you might faint;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• changes in vision;
• painful or difficult urination;
• liver problems--pain in the upper right side of your stomach, itching, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low blood sodium--headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or
• manic episodes--racing thoughts, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, risk-taking behavior, feeling agitated or talkative.

Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of Irenka may include:

• drowsiness;
• nausea, constipation, loss of appetite;
• dry mouth; or
• increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, dizziness or drowsiness, seizures, fast heartbeats, fainting, or coma.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with Irenka may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Irenka will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage, especially if you take Drizalma.

Sometimes, using certain medications together is not safe. Some drugs can change the blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or reduce how well the medications work.

Many drugs can affect Irenka. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are using.