Delayed Release Depression Medication Questions

Hello everyone,

I had gastric bypass done approximately 15 months ago and have lost roughly 100 pounds since surgery day. While the surgery helped with some of my medical conditions, I still need medication for depression and anxiety.

The medicine (Prozac) I'm taking now is not helping as much any more and my dr wants to switch me to Cymbalta. I was on this before surgery and taken off it since it could not be crushed. I remember reading somewhere that taking Delayed/Extended release capsules is not the best idea for gastric bypass patients as the medicine will not totally be absorbed into the bloodstream, thus affecting the dosage.

My doctor said Cymbalta is immediate release, but upon further review I found it is actually a delayed release capsule. Is anyone post-op taking Cymbalta delayed release? (Or even other types of delayed/ extended release capsules?) I'd like to know if it is okay for me to take the delayed release Cymbalta even though I'm 15 months post-op. I'm just concerned that my body will not absorb the medicine properly and I will not get the full benefits of the treatment- and when dealing with depression and anxiety, having the medicine not work or be totally effective is not a chance I want to really take.

I appreciate your help since I am suffering from a deep depression and having several panic attacks a day. I just want to be on a medicine that will help.

Thank you,
Nichole

I tried Cymbalta after surgery and it didn't work for me.  The doctor said I probably wasn't absorbing it properly..  I now take Abilify and it  has made a world of difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Best of luck.

 

Stephanie

Cymbalta has an enteric coating which is designed to dissolve in the small intestine, and our small intestine has been shortened, so the drug does not have as much opportunity to be absorbed as it does in people with heir natural digestive system.

This is complicated by the fact that there is no blood test you can take to see how much you are absorbing, so if it is not helping you have no way to know if it is because you need a higher dose or because that particular antidepressant isn't working for you. If the doctor increases the dose and absorption is NOT the problem, you can end up with side effects from the higher dose (and still perhaps not get relief from the depression). The most positive aspect of dosing the Cymbalta is that it CAN be given in two daily doses (whereas some others are only given once per day), which MIGHT increase the overall amount absorbed beyond a once daily dose.

There are a lot of antidepressants out there that are available in non-time release version, and some of them (such as Paxil and Lexapro) address both depression and anxiety (altough are less effective for panic attacks than for generalized anxiety). I would talk to your doctor again, express your concern, and ask for an alternative.

Lora

I have been taking Cymbalta since 2004.  I had RNY 8/15/12 and I have had no problems with my Cymbalta and trust me I would be able to tell if my body wasn't absorbing it because over the years I have missed a dose here and there and I could tell the difference.