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Drug Info

When is the best time to take duloxetine?

You can take it in the morning or at night—depending on your preference and how it affects you
Christine Bryant headshot
By | Mar. 28, 2025 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
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Key takeaways

  • If you take duloxetine once daily, you can take duloxetine in the morning or at night, depending on your preference and potential side effects. If your dosing is twice daily, take it approximately every 12 hours.

  • If you miss a dose of duloxetine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to the time of your next dose.

  • You can maximize the benefits of duloxetine by communicating with your healthcare team.

In this article:

Duloxetine is a prescription medication used to treat medical conditions like major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy (nerve pain) from diabetes. Also known by its brand name, Cymbalta, this drug belongs to a group of medicines known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). This type of antidepressant combines two therapeutic mechanisms in one agent to treat depression and anxiety, says Rica Beck, a dual-certified family and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with Neuro Wellness Spa in Los Angeles. Patients can take duloxetine at any time of day, though healthcare providers agree that it is important to take the medication at the same time each day. Several factors may influence when that optimal time is for each individual patient.

Should duloxetine be taken in the morning or at night?

If you take duloxetine once daily, you can take duloxetine either in the morning or at night, depending on your preference, as long as you take it consistently. If your dosing is twice daily, you should space it out about every 12 hours. This helps maintain a consistent level of medication in your system and makes it easier to remember to take your dose. Many people time their duloxetine dosage to minimize unpleasant possible side effects, like tiredness. 

Common side effects of duloxetine include:

  • Nausea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue, drowsiness, or sedation
  • Dry mouth
  • Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

“The decision to take duloxetine in the morning or evening often depends on the patient’s response to the medication,” explains Kimberly Langdon, MD, a medical expert with the Farr Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. “Some patients may experience energizing effects, which makes morning administration preferable to avoid sleep disturbances. If a patient experiences sedative effects, taking it in the evening may be beneficial.” 

Or, if you have many gastrointestinal side effects, taking it with your first meal of the day can help, so stomach issues do not impact sleep quality. Adverse effects are often worse when you first start taking the medication and fade in time as your body adjusts. However, serious side effects are possible.

If the side effects of the medication begin to impact daily life, Beck suggests consulting a healthcare professional to decide whether adjusting the time of day for the medication could help or if switching to an alternative might be necessary.

What if I miss a dose of duloxetine?

Duloxetine is often taken long-term, so it’s not uncommon to forget a dose at some point. If you miss a dose of duloxetine, how much time has passed since the last dose will determine what to do next.

“If a patient misses a dose of duloxetine, they should take it as soon as they remember, unless it is close to the time of their next dose,” Dr. Langdon says. “In that case, they should skip the missed dose and resume their regular schedule.” You should never take two doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten pill.

Because duloxetine is typically prescribed as a daily medication, taking the antidepressant on an alternative schedule, such as every other day, is not advised. “Taking it every other day is not commonly recommended due to its impact on maintaining steady blood levels necessary for therapeutic effects,” Dr. Langdon explains.

How long does it take for duloxetine to start working?

Duloxetine can take up to two months to reach full effectiveness. “It may take six to eight weeks for symptoms like low mood and lack of interest in activities to go away,” Beck says. However, certain symptoms such as hunger, energy, and sleep may start to improve more quickly—within one to two weeks.“In most cases, pain relief takes place in two weeks,” Beck adds.

On average, it takes about two hours before the body begins absorbing the drug, and it reaches its highest level in the bloodstream, or peak time, about six hours after taking it, according to Beck. The average elimination half-life of duloxetine—or the time it takes for half of the drug to leave the system—is around 12 hours. After about three days, the amount of the drug in a person’s bloodstream stabilizes, with the rate of drug intake balancing out with the rate at which the body eliminates it. This steady level helps ensure that the medication effects remain consistent. 

How do I get the most out of my duloxetine?

To maximize the effectiveness of duloxetine, try these tips:

  • Follow the prescribed dosing instructions and take the drug at a consistent time (or times, if you take it twice daily) every day.
  • Communicate with your provider. Discuss any concerning side effects with your healthcare provider. Sometimes something as simple as a dose adjustment can help.
  • Don’t stop taking this prescription without seeking medical advice. You can experience withdrawal symptoms if you discontinue duloxetine suddenly, Beck says.
  • Disclose all medical conditions. For example, if you have bipolar disorder, liver problems, glaucoma, or are breastfeeding, your provider may suggest an alternative medication.
  • Share a full list of the over-the-counter and prescription medications you are taking with your healthcare team—including vitamins and supplements. 

The following medications may have a drug interaction with duloxetine:

  • Isocarboxazid
  • Linezolid
  • Mavorixafor
  • Methylene blue
  • Metoclopramide
  • Ozanimod
  • Phenelzine
  • Procarbazine
  • Rasagiline
  • Safinamide
  • Selegiline
  • Thioridazine
  • Tranylcypromine
  • Viloxazine

Taking duloxetine with certain types of medications that also raise serotonin levels—such as SSRIs or MAOIs—can increase your risk of a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This is not a full list of drug interactions. Consult with your healthcare provider for more information. 

The bottom line 

While there is no single best time to take duloxetine, the ideal timing often depends on how you respond to the medication. Those who experience energizing effects may prefer to take it in the morning, while those who find it sedating may prefer taking duloxetine at night. No matter which time of day you take your duloxetine prescription, it’s important to maintain a consistent daily schedule to get the most out of your medication.

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