Cymbalta - do they work as well when we open the capsule and swallow?

Wondering if anyone else takes Cymbalta, and if so, do you open the capsule and swallow the little bbs or do you swallow the capsule and let it disolve?  Reason I am asking is I've noticed my pain attacks are back with a vengence and Cymbalta had been helping keep me functional.  Since surgery I've been opening the caps and not sure if the extended release works that way. Thought I'd ask before I set up an appointment with the rhumatologist.  You guys usually know the answers, and you are cheaper.  :)

If you are taking the extended release capsules, DO NOT open them up.  You will be taking an entire 24 hour dose at one time and will overmedicate yourself.

I've been doing it since surgery 3-1/2 months now.   Nothing noticed, except it's not working.  Maybe it isn't extended release after all.  It is capsule though and little white balls - yell and green capsule if that helps.

Not all capsules are extended release.  Does it say XR or anything like that on the prescription bottle?  I just looked in my drug book and it doesn't look like Cymbalta is available in an extended form, but I do not have the 2009 edition.

I take Cymbalta for fibromyalgia.  It is not an extended release drug. I had surgery 4 months ago.  I opened the capsule and put the little "beads" in applesauce for the first 6 weeks.  After that, my
doctor said I could just swallow the capsule.  I haven't had any problems with it.  I have not noticed the Cymbalta being less effective, but there is a big difference in my migraine medication.  It used to take about 20 minutes to start helping, now it can take over an hour and a half.  I assume it's because of the malabsorption.  If you are not getting relief at your current dose of Cymbalta, your doctor may need to increase your dosage.  Good luck.  This journey is indeed a learning experience.

I take Cymbalta - I am almost 7 months out and have been taking it for 2 months.  I swallow the capsule.  Only problems I have is that sometimes my tummy gets nauseated which is a common side-effect. 

Thanks for the help.  I will start swallowing the capsule then.   I'm taking it for fibro as well and it isn't working for me anymore.  I can hardly walk through the grocery store without having a limp again.  I'll go see my doc and figure out if I can increase the dose.  Appreciate the quick responses.

I take Cymbalta and I just take the capsule once a day, whole in the morning.

No, you won't overdose on Cymbalta, but the capsules are coated so that they don't dissolve in stomach acid: duloxetine, the drug, is destroyed by stomach acid.  Once the intact capsule enters your small intestine, it will dissolve completely.

Opening the capsule defeats the protective coating, so you shouldn't do that.

/Steve

I take Cymbalta and have since before surgery.  I took it in the hospital and when I came home with no problems.  Just took the capsule as usual.
Dawn