A lot of things need to be kept in mind while you are taking any kind of new medications. Each and every medication has the capability of causing certain side-effects. Some of these side effects are very mild, and you will be able to manage them quite easily. But, at the same time, some side effects can be extremely detrimental. Sometimes, certain food-drug interactions might also occur. Hence, before consuming any particular drug, you should pay close attention to such important details. Cymbalta is a drug that must be taken with immense care. As a result, the patients might wonder what are the foods to avoid while taking cymbalta. Avoiding these food items will help them in preventing these unwanted interactions. So, make sure you are carefully listening to the instructions provided by your pharmacists, as well as other health care providers. If you have any type of confusion regarding this medication, and its use, then you must clear all your doubts before taking Cymbalta. It must be kept in mind that this medication is mainly taken for the purpose of treating mood disorders, and different kinds of pain. Now, let’s go through the various details regarding the drug Cymbalta.

Know what Cymbalta is….

Before taking a look at the foods to avoid while taking cymbalta, let’s discuss the vital aspects regarding this drug.

• Cymbalta is actually the brand name of the drug duloxetine, which is used by people all over the world for treating various health issues.
• This can be considered as a prescription medicine, and it belongs to the class of medication known as SNRIs, or selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
• This drug establishes its function by increasing the quantity of serotonin, as well as norepinephrine in the human brain. These hormones are very important for the proper functioning of the human brain.
• Serotonin and Norepinephrine helps in maintaining a person’s mental stability. As a result, this drug is often prescribed for the purpose of treating depression. 
• Cymbalta is also beneficial for the purpose of preventing the spread of pain signals in the brain. This property can be extremely useful if you are suffering from health issues that can cause severe pain.
• This drug was approved by the USFDA in 2004, and it is available in different strengths, as well. You can get this medication in strengths of twenty milligrams, thirty milligrams, and sixty milligrams.
• The particular dose of Cymbalta that a patient will be requiring will depend upon his or her individual condition. Along with that there are several other factors which play a pivotal role in determining the drug dosage. These include the patient’s response, other medications that he or she might be taking, etc.
• In most cases, the doctor will ask you to take 20 milligrams twice daily. Depending on your health condition, the doctor might also ask you to take 30 milligrams once daily for a week. Thereafter, this dose will be gradually increased as per the requirement.

Go through the foods to avoid while taking cymbalta

There are certain food items that must be avoided while you are taking this medication. Some of these food items are enumerated below for the convenience of the readers.

• Refined grains
• If you are going to take the drug Cymbalta, then you must avoid consuming refined grains. These are the grains that have been processed to remove the parts that are rich in healthy fiber.
• These grains are known to cause several health issues such as increased levels of inflammation, depression, high blood sugar levels, etc.
• As we have already mentioned, these grains have very low fiber content. Along with that, they also contain significantly lower levels of B vitamins, magnesium, iron, etc.
• Foods & drinks that are rich in added sugar
• In case you are taking this drug for the management of conditions such as, diabetic neuropathy, depression, and chronic pain, then you must try to limit your intake of added sugar.
• This restriction will help you to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Along with that you will also be able to experience some improvement in your mood. Avoiding added sugars will also reduce inflammation to a great extent.

• Foods that are high in saturated fat

• If you are consuming foods that are rich in saturated fats, then you will be at a risk of developing different heart problems.
• It must be noted that high levels of saturated fatty acids might lead to the progression of neuropathy.
• Alcohol
• The patients taking Cymbalta must avoid alcohol consumption at all costs. Alcohol intake will aggravate the already existing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• If you drink alcohol while taking Cymbalta, then it will significantly enhance your risk of developing liver problems.

Foods that can be consumed while taking Cymbalta

Now that we know what are the foods to avoid while taking cymbalta, let’s take a look at the food items that can be consumed without any sort of concerns.

• Foods rich in omega- 3 fatty acids
• These include several food items such as cod liver oil, chia seeds, flaxseeds, sardines, mackerel, salmon, oysters, etc.
• Cymbalta is often used for the purpose of managing pain. Sometimes pain is linked with inflammation, and consuming omega- 3 fatty acids will help in treating inflammation.
• Magnesium-rich foods
• Magnesium deficiency can lead to depression-like symptoms. So, try including magnesium rich food items in your diet, while you are taking Cymbalta.
• These include almonds, dark chocolate, peanuts, edamame, cashews, peanut butter, black beans, etc.
• Fruits and vegetables
• As we all know, they are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. These substances can help in fighting inflammation.
• They also help in managing nerve pain that occurs in diabetic neuropathy.

Conclusion

We have listed the foods to avoid while taking cymbalta. Along with that, we have also enumerated the ones that can be consumed while taking Cymbalta. So, keep these food items in mind before starting the course of the medication. This will help you to derive maximum benefits from the medication. Along with that, you will be able to prevent harmful interactions to a great extent.