Pharmaceutical class:

Antidepressant and relieves nerve pain and anxiety

Drug form:

20 mg, 30 mg and 60 mg enteric coated capsules

Drug combinations:

Duloxetine

Mechanism of action of Loxeta

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

Uses of Loxeta

Antidepressant and relieves nerve pain and anxiety.

Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding Loxeta

Pregnancy: Adequate and well-controlled studies have not been conducted in pregnant women. The use of this medicine during pregnancy should be done under the supervision of a specialist and with caution.
Breastfeeding: This drug is secreted in breast milk. Therefore, its use during breastfeeding is not recommended.

Regarding the correct way to take the medicine, pay attention to these points:

1- Take this medicine only according to the doctor’s prescription. Avoid consuming more amounts, repeatedly and for a longer period of time than prescribed by the doctor.
2- Swallow the capsule completely, avoid chewing, crushing or scattering its contents on food or mixing it with liquids before swallowing.
3- If you forget to take a dose of medicine, take it immediately as soon as you remember. But if it’s time for the next dose, don’t take it and resume your normal schedule. Avoid doubling the amount of medicine.

Loxeta drug interactions

Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you are using the following medicines:
Alcohol – Deloxetine and alcohol may cause liver damage. Their simultaneous use is not recommended.
Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, imipramine and nortriptyline – caution is necessary when using these drugs at the same time.
Type 1C antiarrhythmic drugs such as flecanid and propafenone – the amount of antiarrhythmic drugs in the blood may increase.
Cimetidine, fluvoxamine, quinolone antimicrobial drugs such as ciprofloxacin and enoxacin – the amount of these drugs increases in the blood.
Medicines affecting the central nervous system – it is necessary to observe caution when taking these medicines at the same time.
Desipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine and quinidine – in simultaneous use, the amount of duloxetine or other drugs may be reduced.
Drugs affecting stomach acid – Deloxetine has an enteric coating (opens in the intestine) and this coating may be hydrolyzed in very acidic conditions. Also, drugs that raise the pH of the gastrointestinal tract may lead to premature release of duloxetine.
Medicines that inhibit monoamine oxidase – it is forbidden to use duloxetine within at least 14 days after stopping the use of a medicine that inhibits monoamine oxidase or to start taking a medicine that inhibits monoamine oxidase within 5 days of stopping the use of duloxetine.
Phenothiazines – the amount of phenothiazines in the blood may increase.
Thioridazine – simultaneous use of two drugs is prohibited. There is a possibility of serious ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death with the increase of thioridazine in the blood.
Warfarin – Anticoagulant effects including increased bleeding have been reported. Warfarin intake should be carefully monitored when starting or stopping duloxetine.

Loxeta precautions:

1- In order to check the progress of treatment, possible changes in the amount of medication and to help reduce unwanted side effects, visit your doctor regularly.
2- Avoid consuming alcoholic drinks with this medicine at the same time.
3- In some people, the use of duloxetine may cause confusion, irritability or other unusual behaviors, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, or more depression. If you notice any of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
4- This drug can cause serious liver problems. If you notice symptoms such as dark urine, general fatigue and weakness, pale stools, nausea and vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen and yellowing of the eyes and skin, inform your doctor immediately.
5- In order to improve the symptoms, it may be necessary to take this medicine for 4 weeks. It is necessary to continue taking the drug even after the symptoms of depression have improved.
6- Do not stop taking Deloxetine suddenly. In case of doctor’s order to stop taking this medicine and in order to reduce symptoms such as confusion, nausea, vomiting, headache, irritability, nightmares and burning sensation, reducing the amount of medicine should be done gradually.
7- Avoid taking Deloxetine within 2 weeks of stopping taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (furazolidone, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline and tranylcypromine). Also, the use of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor should be at least 5 days away from stopping the use of Deloxetine. Otherwise, confusion, confusion, restlessness, stomach or abdominal symptoms, sudden increase in body temperature, excessive blood pressure, severe convulsive attacks or serotonin syndrome may occur.
8- In patients with diabetes, this drug may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice any changes in the results of blood sugar or urine tests, or if you have any other questions, inform your doctor.
9- This medicine may cause drowsiness or blurred vision in some people. Therefore, during the treatment, avoid driving and working with equipment that requires full alertness.

Loxeta contraindications:

1- History of allergy to Deloxetine or any of the components of this medicine
2- Hepatic insufficiency
3- Uncontrolled glaucoma with a narrow angle
4- Severe kidney failure
5- Concomitant use in patients treated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor drug or within 2 weeks of stopping the use of a monoamine oxidase drug. An interval of at least 5 days should be considered between stopping duloxetine and starting treatment with a monoamine oxidase drug.

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