Cymbalta vs. Luvox
See how Cymbalta and Luvox compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Cymbalta is an SNRI approved for depression, anxiety, and several chronic pain conditions, while Luvox is an SSRI approved specifically for OCD.
Both drugs carry a boxed warning for increased suicidal thoughts in young people and share nausea, headache, and somnolence as common side effects.
Luvox requires divided daily dosing at higher amounts and has more drug interactions, while Cymbalta is typically dosed once or twice a day.
Cymbalta vs. Luvox Drug Summary
Cymbalta
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) approved for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and several chronic pain conditions including diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It comes as a delayed-release capsule, usually taken once a day, sometimes split into two daily doses at the highest dose.
Luvox
Luvox (fluvoxamine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder in both adults and children ages 8 and up. It comes as an immediate-release tablet, started at a low dose and increased over time, with higher daily amounts split into two doses.
Cymbalta vs. Luvox Side Effects
Cymbalta
Luvox
Cymbalta vs. Luvox Dosage
Cymbalta
Luvox
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 60 mg once daily | Week 2 onward |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every week |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 25 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 50 mg once daily | Days 1-7 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Cymbalta
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 60 mg once daily | Week 2 onward |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every week |
Luvox
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 25 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 50 mg once daily | Days 1-7 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Cymbalta vs. Luvox Indications
Cymbalta
Cymbalta treats major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and several chronic pain syndromes, making it useful when a patient has overlapping mood and pain symptoms. It is not approved for OCD.
Major depressive disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain
Fibromyalgia
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (osteoarthritis, low back pain)
Luvox
Luvox is FDA-approved specifically for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and in children as young as 8. It is also prescribed off-label for depression, social anxiety, and panic disorder, though it lacks FDA approval for these uses.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (adults)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (ages 8-17)
Off-label: major depressive disorder
Off-label: social anxiety disorder
Off-label: panic disorder
Cymbalta vs. Luvox Pros and Cons
Cymbalta
Cymbalta stands out for its dual approval in psychiatric and chronic pain conditions, letting one medication address both depression and physical pain. It requires caution in liver or severe kidney disease and tends to cost more than generic alternatives.
Pros
Approved for chronic pain conditions like diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia
Fixed once- or twice-daily dosing without splitting tablets
FDA-approved for both depression and anxiety disorders
No CYP1A2 interaction concerns with caffeine or theophylline
Cons
Must be avoided in chronic liver disease or cirrhosis
Must be avoided in severe kidney impairment or end-stage renal disease
Not approved for OCD
Typically costs $130 to $500 per month without insurance
Luvox
Luvox's main strength is its specific approval for OCD, including in children as young as 8, an option Cymbalta does not offer. It carries notable interactions through CYP1A2 inhibition and generally costs less since only generic versions remain available.
Pros
FDA-approved for OCD in children as young as 8
Only generic versions are sold, often lowering cost
Typically costs $15 to $170 per month without insurance
Long track record of use since 1994
Cons
Significant CYP1A2 interactions with caffeine, theophylline, and clozapine
Not FDA-approved for depression despite common off-label use
Requires divided dosing at higher daily amounts
Higher rates of insomnia and asthenia than Cymbalta
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