This page mainly affects people still taking Cymbalta/duloxetine. For complicated medical reasons, the warnings may also apply to anyone who has recently come off the drugs. The list was compiled in good faith for CHW group years ago and it is in good faith that we reproduce the edited, updated list here.
Before you add drugs, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter medicines – even foodstuffs – to your diet, please think and check for interactions. www.drugs.com
Only negative effects are listed here. When we are on antidepressants, in recovery or even post-recovery, we may be more liable to side effects caused by supposedly natural supplements. Please don’t add to that risk.
When doing an online search remember to add “serotonin/Cymbalta/duloxetine and (whatever supplements you are researching)“. You will find many conflicting results. Please think carefully about what you find. Ask a support group what they think.
There are no guarantees that any of these supplements / foods will have any effect at all, whether positive or negative. Remember the power of the placebo. Please keep an open mind. Take no risks.
Different countries have different regulations. Be aware that people with different backgrounds will have different attitudes. Please be open and accepting.
Supplements should only be taken after having full medical tests to see what is needed. There is no point in wasting money and hope on something which is not lacking in your body. In fact, taking unnecessary supplements can add to our problems. This link may be of interest: https://www.nutriadvanced.co.uk/what-we-wont-sell
Drug and supplement interaction checker: https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
Cymbalta (Duloxetine) Drug Interactions: https://www.drugsdb.com/rx/cymbalta/cymbalta-drug-interactions/
Combinations of Drugs and Supplements that can induce serotonin syndrome: https://www.uspharmacist.com/content/d/feature/c/23707/
This may be of interest if you are are researching supplements, medicines and when to take them: https://suzycohen.com/articles/vitamin_supplement_interaction
Commonly used supplements and medications: check for yourself at www.drugs.com then make your own decisions.
Antihistamines may increase blood levels.
Pain killers may increase risk of bleeding.
Flu treatments may contain dextromethorphan.
Fluoride (in water, toothpaste and during dental work) is considered a neurotoxin. Try to eliminate it from your drinking water, your toothpaste and your dentist visits.
Don’t get serotonin syndrome.
Supplements that increase serotonin can also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, especially when taken in combination with other serotonin-affecting drugs, or while in withdrawal. For many people it is not a matter of LOW serotonin, but of poor serotonin metabolism. It is suggested that many types of anxiety are a result of HIGH serotonin instead of low serotonin, so taking a supplement that increases serotonin can also increase problems.
Dextromethorphan – basic ingredient of most cough medicines
5-Htp (The tp stands for tryptophan.)
Niacin – see tryptophan
Tryptophan increases serotonin – in fact, it causes the body to produce it. There is a major interaction potential for Cymbalta and 5-Htp in www.drugs.com.
Tryptophan in food: we recommend avoiding any supplements or food that increase tryptophan, but https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/l-trytophan-supplements#other-sources suggests that in food it is safe as part of the regular diet.
For those of you who want to be on the safe side, the above article lists turkey, tuna, nuts, seeds, bananas, dairy products, red meat, shellfish and soy products as high in tryptophan. We suggest you avoid them but at least be aware of their possible effect.
SAMe “Don’t use SAMe and prescription antidepressants together.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-same/art-20364924
St John’s Wort “Combining St. John’s wort and certain antidepressants can lead to a potentially life-threatening increase in your body’s levels of serotonin” (serotonin syndrome.
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/st-johns-wort-and-depression-in-depth
GABA
It is hard to find anything reliable and useful about using GABA supplements. (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) The following is from previous CHW files. Stimulation of GABA causes your body to relax and can induce sleep. GABA supplements add to your body’s GABA supply, producing a calming effect.
Antidepressants stimulate the GABA in your body, producing a calming effect. Taking both would increase your GABA supply, leading to overload. There is no clarification of what this “overload” would mean.
Don’t give yourself GI problems – diarrhea, vomiting and all the rest.
These have all been researched for adding to this page and it seems they are all likely to cause the above problems:
Ashwagandha
DIM
Holy basil
Inositol
L-theanine
SAMe
Don’t give yourself other side effects.
L-Theanine
“This is used for anxiety, mental impairment, stress, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.”
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1053/theanine
LDN Naltrexone side effects: dizziness, fainting, headache, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, sleepiness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, decreased appetite, injection site pain and swelling, joint pain, excessive muscle contraction, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat
Researchers “don’t yet understand” how LDN works. They “theorize” and say “some evidence suggests”.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/low-dose-naltrexone-ldn-for-fibromyalgia-cfs-716070
Maltodextrin: increase in weight, bloating and flatulence, itching, rash, allergic rhinitis or asthma.
This article may be of interest. It is a cutting condemnation of mass-produced “health” products.
Why Maltodextrin Stinks | Why You Should Not Use It | Alternative (proteinfactory.com)
Melatonin: according to the Mayo Clinic, it is “generally safe for short-term use”. But it then warns of: headache, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness …and other possible side effects such as depression, mild tremor, mild anxiety, abdominal cramps, irritability, reduced alertness, confusion or disorientation, and abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension). And no driving withing 5 hours of taking it. I’m unclear what “generally safe” means.
Milk thistle: headaches, painful joints, insomnia, tiredness, fatigue, weakness, bloating, gas, impotency, diarrhea, breathing problems, skin rashes, swollen face, nausea, swollen tongue, digestion problems, swollen lips, heart related problems, swollen throat and a loss of appetite.
https://ic.steadyhealth.com/side-effects-of-milk-thistle
Quinine: fever, diarrhaea or constipation, delirium, anaemia, asthma, hepatitis and kidney damage
https://ic.steadyhealth.com/side-effects-of-quinine-sulphate
Q96 – MAY do all sorts of things; lots of potential side effects from the natural ingredients.
This link is negative about Q96 and you may find it of interest.
https://www.findingoptimism.com/q96-review/#q96-claims
Niacin: headache, dizziness, low blood pressure. Elsewhere, it is suggested as a positive thing to try. We know.
Selenium: nausea, vomiting, nail changes, loss of energy. irritability
Zinc: loss of appetite, stomach pains, diarrhea
Folic acid (more than 1 mg daily): sleep disorders, rashes, behavioral changes, seizures, gas
Rhodiola this MAY help anxiety and depression; it MAY affect liver function adversely; it MAY have interactions with other drugs. Previously, CHW received wisdom advised us do not take it.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-883/rhodiola (I found it very effectively to help my breathing problems during tapering. I stopped when I discovered this information: better to be safe.)
Serpentina – side effects include nasal congestion, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, drowsiness, convulsions, Parkinson’s-like symptoms, and coma.
https://www.rxlist.com/indian_snakeroot/supplements.htm
Valerian: headache, dizziness, itchiness, upset stomach, dry mouth, vivid dreams, daytime drowsiness, liver damage
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-valerian-88336
Benadryl – we know this is often used to manage withdrawal symptoms. We must all make our own decisions, but please be aware that www.drugs.com lists this as having “moderate interactions” with Cymbalta/duloxetine.
Alka Seltzer Flu Formula (major drug interaction)
Many who take antidepressants have dietary problems. They may be solved or lessened by avoiding or reducing intake of all or some of the following. Some readers will dismiss this as pseudo-science. Others will try anything to help manage an eating problem induced by antidepressants. We make no apologies for including the items listed below. Taking Cymbalta/duloxetine or tapering off it affects the body in many ways. There is a particular problem with the liver. Many patients have severe weight problems. Others suffer blood pressure issues. The safest way is to avoid processed foods and drinks and avoid sugar when possible.
Anything that converts directly to sugar when consumed.
Alcohol
Energy Drinks
Artificial Sweeteners
Corn, corn syrup
*Dairy products
Fast food
Foods labeled “natural” or “fat free and sugar free”
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Gluten
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice
Nicotine – causes rapid dips and spikes in blood sugar
Nightshades (white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)
*Red Meat
Refined foods
Simple Carbohydrates (Try to limit them.)
Soy
Sugars
Trans fats
* (Link to anti-inflammatory diet)
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