DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

72/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company

Duloxetine Hydrochloride Adverse Events: Significant Gastrointestinal and Psychiatric Concerns

434,529 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. Based on analysis of 434,529 FDA adverse event reports, DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE has a safety score of 72 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE include NAUSEA, FATIGUE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE.

AI Safety Analysis

Duloxetine Hydrochloride has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 434,529 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Eli Lilly And Company.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Nausea, Fatigue, Drug Ineffective. Of classified reports, 61.4% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea are common, with a high frequency of serious reports.

Psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are prevalent and serious. Drug interactions and withdrawal syndrome are reported, requiring careful monitoring.

Patients taking Duloxetine Hydrochloride should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Duloxetine may interact with other medications, and patients should be monitored for withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 72/100

Duloxetine Hydrochloride received a safety concern score of 72/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 61.4% serious event ratio across 181,563 classified reports. The score accounts for 434,529 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

NAUSEA17,479 reports
FATIGUE15,603 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE13,692 reports
HEADACHE13,357 reports
DIZZINESS13,140 reports
PAIN12,074 reports
DIARRHOEA9,709 reports
INSOMNIA9,698 reports
OFF LABEL USE9,532 reports
ANXIETY9,521 reports
VOMITING8,283 reports
DEPRESSION8,212 reports
DRUG WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME8,134 reports
FALL7,659 reports
PARAESTHESIA7,365 reports
ARTHRALGIA7,034 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS6,805 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL6,765 reports
MALAISE6,353 reports
DYSPNOEA6,265 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION6,253 reports
ASTHENIA5,766 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE5,667 reports
TREMOR5,512 reports
SOMNOLENCE5,383 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY5,090 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED4,898 reports
BACK PAIN4,757 reports
AGITATION4,680 reports
IRRITABILITY4,481 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED4,405 reports
PNEUMONIA4,032 reports
CONSTIPATION4,010 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE4,000 reports
RASH3,997 reports
VERTIGO3,909 reports
DRUG INTERACTION3,869 reports
PRURITUS3,836 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED3,710 reports
DECREASED APPETITE3,613 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT3,526 reports
COUGH3,441 reports
HYPERTENSION3,406 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED3,286 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER3,250 reports
PYREXIA3,202 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY3,157 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN3,155 reports
DEATH3,148 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION3,139 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS3,092 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA3,031 reports
MIGRAINE2,791 reports
AFFECT LABILITY2,776 reports
NIGHTMARE2,740 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS2,606 reports
CHEST PAIN2,599 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE2,599 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS2,591 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS2,570 reports
VISION BLURRED2,554 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE2,498 reports
SLEEP DISORDER2,465 reports
TINNITUS2,401 reports
LETHARGY2,388 reports
HYPOTENSION2,384 reports
MYALGIA2,356 reports
BALANCE DISORDER2,349 reports
DYSPHORIA2,344 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS2,312 reports
SINUSITIS2,280 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT2,248 reports
DRY MOUTH2,244 reports
ALOPECIA2,222 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY2,209 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL2,209 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS2,200 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING2,135 reports
WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME2,133 reports
CRYING2,120 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION2,120 reports
PALPITATIONS2,105 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT2,102 reports
DEPRESSED MOOD2,085 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT MISUSE2,054 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN2,037 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION2,001 reports
COVID 191,992 reports
FIBROMYALGIA1,991 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE1,985 reports
DISTURBANCE IN ATTENTION1,985 reports
HALLUCINATION1,976 reports
OVERDOSE1,976 reports
SEROTONIN SYNDROME1,975 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY1,960 reports
MOOD SWINGS1,914 reports
SEIZURE1,908 reports
RENAL FAILURE1,888 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS1,887 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE1,884 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High incidence of serious gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).
  • Psychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are frequent and serious.
  • Reports of drug interactions and withdrawal syndrome highlight the need for caution.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 126,365, Male: 43,830, Unknown: 342. The most frequently reported age groups are age 55 (3,174 reports), age 53 (3,114 reports), age 60 (3,008 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 181,563 classified reports for DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE:

  • Serious: 111,560 reports (61.4%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 70,003 reports (38.6%)
Serious 61.4%Non-Serious 38.6%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female126,365 (74.1%)
Male43,830 (25.7%)
Unknown342 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 553,174 reports
Age 533,114 reports
Age 603,008 reports
Age 502,952 reports
Age 572,922 reports
Age 562,915 reports
Age 612,839 reports
Age 592,793 reports
Age 582,783 reports
Age 622,737 reports
Age 542,731 reports
Age 522,698 reports
Age 642,691 reports
Age 652,667 reports
Age 632,548 reports
Age 512,446 reports
Age 452,445 reports
Age 662,286 reports
Age 492,277 reports
Age 682,212 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Duloxetine may interact with other medications, and patients should be monitored for withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Duloxetine Hydrochloride, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, fatigue, drug ineffective, headache, dizziness. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions and do not alter the dose without medical advice. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors adverse events and may require additional safety measures or labeling changes based on ongoing data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

The FDA has received approximately 434,529 adverse event reports associated with Duloxetine Hydrochloride. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Duloxetine Hydrochloride include Nausea, Fatigue, Drug Ineffective, Headache, Dizziness. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Nausea (17,479 reports), Fatigue (15,603 reports), Drug Ineffective (13,692 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Duloxetine Hydrochloride.

What percentage of Duloxetine Hydrochloride adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 181,563 classified reports, 111,560 (61.4%) were classified as serious and 70,003 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Duloxetine Hydrochloride (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Duloxetine Hydrochloride break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 126,365, Male: 43,830, Unknown: 342. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

The most frequently reported age groups for Duloxetine Hydrochloride adverse events are: age 55: 3,174 reports, age 53: 3,114 reports, age 60: 3,008 reports, age 50: 2,952 reports, age 57: 2,922 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

The primary manufacturer associated with Duloxetine Hydrochloride adverse event reports is Eli Lilly And Company. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Duloxetine Hydrochloride include: Pain, Diarrhoea, Insomnia, Off Label Use, Anxiety. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

You can report adverse events from Duloxetine Hydrochloride to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Duloxetine Hydrochloride's safety score and what does it mean?

Duloxetine Hydrochloride has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea are common, with a high frequency of serious reports.

What are the key safety signals for Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

Key safety signals identified in Duloxetine Hydrochloride's adverse event data include: High incidence of serious gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).. Psychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are frequent and serious.. Reports of drug interactions and withdrawal syndrome highlight the need for caution.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Duloxetine Hydrochloride interact with other drugs?

Duloxetine may interact with other medications, and patients should be monitored for withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Duloxetine Hydrochloride.

What should patients know before taking Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions and do not alter the dose without medical advice.

Are Duloxetine Hydrochloride side effects well-documented?

Duloxetine Hydrochloride has 434,529 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are prevalent and serious. The volume of reports for Duloxetine Hydrochloride reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Duloxetine Hydrochloride?

The FDA closely monitors adverse events and may require additional safety measures or labeling changes based on ongoing data. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

SertralineVenlafaxineAmitriptyline
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.