Skip to Content
Looking to save on your medications?  Find out how 

6 Interactions found for:

Cymbalta and levothyroxine
Interactions Summary
  • 2 Major
  • 2 Moderate
  • 2 Minor
  • Cymbalta
  • levothyroxine

Drug Interactions

No drug interactions were found for selected drugs: Cymbalta, levothyroxine.

This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Drug and Food Interactions

Moderate
Levothyroxine + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Levothyroxine

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Consumption of certain foods as well as the timing of meals relative to dosing may affect the oral absorption of T4 thyroid hormone (i.e., levothyroxine). T4 oral absorption is increased by fasting and decreased by foods such as soybean flour (e.g., infant formula), cotton seed meal, walnuts, dietary fiber, calcium, and calcium fortified juices. Grapefruit or grapefruit products may delay the absorption of T4 thyroid hormone and reduce its bioavailability. The mechanism of this interaction is not fully understood.

MANAGEMENT: Some manufacturers recommend administering oral T4 as a single daily dose, on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast. In general, oral preparations containing T4 thyroid hormone should be administered on a consistent schedule with regard to time of day and relation to meals to avoid large fluctuations in serum levels. Foods that may affect T4 absorption should be avoided within several hours of dosing if possible. Consult local guidelines for the administration of T4 in patients receiving enteral feeding.

References

  1. "Product Information. Synthroid (levothyroxine)." Abbott Pharmaceutical PROD (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Armour Thyroid (thyroid desiccated)." Forest Pharmaceuticals (2022):
  3. Wohlt PD, Zheng L, Gunderson S, Balzar SA, Johnson BD, Fish JT "Recommendations for the use of medications with continuous enteral nutrition." Am J Health Syst Pharm 66 (2009): 1438-67

The following applies to the ingredients: Levothyroxine

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Concurrent administration of calcium-containing products may decrease the oral bioavailability of levothyroxine by one-third in some patients. Pharmacologic effects of levothyroxine may be reduced. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may involve nonspecific adsorption of levothyroxine to calcium at acidic pH levels, resulting in an insoluble complex that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In one study, 20 patients with hypothyroidism who were taking a stable long-term regimen of levothyroxine demonstrated modest but significant decreases in mean free and total thyroxine (T4) levels as well as a corresponding increase in mean thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH) level following the addition of calcium carbonate (1200 mg/day of elemental calcium) for 3 months. Four patients had serum TSH levels that were higher than the normal range. Both T4 and TSH levels returned to near-baseline 2 months after discontinuation of calcium, which further supported the likelihood of an interaction. In addition, there have been case reports suggesting decreased efficacy of levothyroxine during calcium coadministration. It is not known whether this interaction occurs with other thyroid hormone preparations.

MANAGEMENT: Some experts recommend separating the times of administration of levothyroxine and calcium-containing preparations by at least 4 hours. Monitoring of serum TSH levels is recommended. Patients with gastrointestinal or malabsorption disorders may be at a greater risk of developing clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism due to this interaction.

References

  1. Schneyer CR "Calcium carbonate and reduction of levothyroxine efficacy." JAMA 279 (1998): 750
  2. Singh N, Singh PN, Hershman JM "Effect of calcium carbonate on the absorption of levothyroxine." JAMA 283 (2000): 2822-5
  3. Csako G, McGriff NJ, Rotman-Pikielny P, Sarlis NJ, Pucino F "Exaggerated levothyroxine malabsorption due to calcium carbonate supplementation in gastrointestinal disorders." Ann Pharmacother 35 (2001): 1578-83
  4. Neafsey PJ "Levothyroxine and calcium interaction: timing is everything." Home Healthc Nurse 22 (2004): 338-9

Moderate
Cymbalta + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Duloxetine (found in Cymbalta)

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of duloxetine in conjunction with chronic alcohol consumption may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Duloxetine alone can increase serum transaminase levels. In clinical trials, 0.3% of patients discontinued duloxetine due to liver transaminase elevations. The median time to detection was about two months. Three duloxetine-treated patients had liver injury as manifested by transaminase and bilirubin elevations, with evidence of obstruction. Substantial intercurrent ethanol use was present in each of these cases, which may have contributed to the abnormalities observed. Duloxetine does not appear to enhance the central nervous system effects of alcohol. When duloxetine and ethanol were administered several hours apart so that peak concentrations of each would coincide, duloxetine did not increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Due to the risk of liver injury, patients prescribed duloxetine should be counseled to avoid excessive use of alcohol. Duloxetine should generally not be prescribed to patients with substantial alcohol use.

References

  1. "Product Information. Cymbalta (duloxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2004):

Drug and Pregnancy Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Duloxetine (found in Cymbalta)

This drug should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

AU TGA pregnancy category: B3
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.

Risk summary: Observational study data have not produced clear drug-associated risks regarding adverse events or major birth defects.

Comments:
-A pregnancy exposure registry is available.
-Neonates exposed to this drug late in the third trimester may require respiratory support, tube feeding, and/or prolonged hospitalization.
-Exposed neonates should be monitored after delivery for direct toxic effects of this drug, drug discontinuation syndrome, and serotonin syndrome.
-Women who discontinued antidepressant use during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressant use.

Animal studies have revealed increased perinatal toxicity and fetotoxicity at doses potentially correlated with maternal toxicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

Some neonates exposed to SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), or SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) late in the third trimester had clinical findings including respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, and constant crying. This clinical picture is consistent with either direct toxic effect of SSRIs and SNRIs, drug discontinuation syndrome, or serotonin syndrome.

A less than 2-fold increase in postpartum hemorrhage was determined by observational data in patients exposed to the drug within 1 month before birth.

A study of women with a history of major depression who were euthymic at the beginning of pregnancy, showed women who discontinued antidepressant medication during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressant medication.

To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to antidepressant therapy, a National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to prospectively register patients. For additional information: https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/

Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients receiving Cymbalta by calling the Cymbalta Pregnancy Registry at 1-866-814-6975 or by visiting www.cymbaltapregnancyregistry.com.

AU TGA pregnancy category B3: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals have shown evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage, the significance of which is considered uncertain in humans.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

References

  1. "Product Information. Cymbalta (duloxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2004):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0

The following applies to the ingredients: Levothyroxine

Use is considered acceptable

AU TGA pregnancy category: A
US FDA pregnancy category: Not Assigned

Risk Summary: No increased rates of major birth defects or miscarriages have been reported with use during pregnancy; untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with risks to the mother and fetus

Comments:
-Thyroid replacement therapy should not be discontinued during pregnancy; hypothyroidism diagnosed during pregnancy should be promptly treated.
-Monitor TSH levels and adjust doses as needed.

Animal studies have not been conducted. There is a long history of using this drug in pregnant women and this experience has not shown increased rates of fetal malformations, miscarriages or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with a higher rate of complications, including spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, stillbirth and premature delivery. Maternal hypothyroidism may have an adverse effect on fetal neurocognitive development. Pregnant women taking this drug should have their TSH measured during each trimester and dose adjusted as appropriate. Patients will generally return to their pre-pregnancy dose after delivery. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category A: Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been observed.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

References

  1. "Product Information. Synthroid (levothyroxine)." Abbott Pharmaceutical PROD (2002):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia "APPGuide online. Australian prescription products guide online. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp" (2006):
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0

Drug and Breastfeeding Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Duloxetine (found in Cymbalta)

Use is not recommended and a decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Some experts state that a more thoroughly studied alternative agent (e.g., nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline) may be preferred while breastfeeding premature or neonates.
-The American Academy of Pediatrics classifies other antidepressants as agents for which the effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern.
-Exposed infants should be monitored for developmental milestones, feeding, sedation, weight gain, especially in younger infants who are exclusively breastfed and/or when breastfed infants are exposed to multiple antipsychotropic agents.

The estimated neonatal dose is approximately 0.1% to 0.3% of the maternal dose.

References

  1. "Product Information. Cymbalta (duloxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2004):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  4. United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):
  5. Briggs GG, Freeman RK. "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation." Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health (2015):
  6. National Library of Medicine (US) "Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/" (2019):

The following applies to the ingredients: Levothyroxine

Use is considered acceptable

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Levothyroxine (T4) is a normal component of human milk; limited data on exogenous replacement doses during breastfeeding have not shown an adverse effect in nursing infants.
-Levothyroxine dose requirements may be increased in the postpartum period compared to prepregnancy requirements in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
-The presence of thyroid hormone in breast milk does not appear to interfere with neonatal thyroid screening.

References

  1. "Product Information. Synthroid (levothyroxine)." Abbott Pharmaceutical PROD (2002):
  2. Jansson L, Ivarsson S, Larsson I, Ekman R "Tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine in human milk." Acta Paediatr Scand 72 (1983): 703-5
  3. Moller B, Bjorkhem I, Falk O, Lantto O, Lafsson A "Identification of thyroxine in human breast milk by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry." J Clin Endocrinol Metab 56 (1983): 30-4
  4. Mizuta H, Amino N, Ichihara K, et al. "Thyroid hormones in human milk and their influence on thyroid function of breast-fed babies." Pediatr Res 17 (1983): 468-71
  5. Hahn HB, Spiekerman AM, Otto R, Hossalla DE "Thyroid function tests in neonates fed human milk." Am J Dis Child 137 (1983): 220-2
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  7. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia "APPGuide online. Australian prescription products guide online. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp" (2006):
  8. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  9. United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):

Therapeutic Duplication Warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

Switch to: Consumer Interactions

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.

Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Disclaimer: This content should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a call or visit to a healthcare professional. Use of this content is subject to our terms of use & medical disclaimer.