Side Effects:

Common Nausea, Headache, Dryness in mouth, Sleepiness, Dizziness.

Expert advice for Ambidext Tablet
You may have to wait for 2 to 4 weeks to get the full effect. If your doctor asks you to stop Ambidext, you should not discontinue it abruptly. Many patients tolerate decreasing 50% dose every 3 days however if the withdrawal symptoms emerge during tapering it would require more gradual tapering over few weeks. Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with any heart problems (heart attack, heart failure, slow or irregular heart rate). Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver problems. It can cause a sensation of restlessness or an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. You should tell your doctor if this happens to you. It may be more effective in some patients with depression who fails to respond to selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRI) e.g. Fluoxetine. Monitor blood pressure (BP) frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Ambidext a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)?
No. Ambidext is not a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It belongs to the anti-depressant class of drugs, more specifically SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor). It works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline) in the nervous system.

Q. Is Ambidext a steroid?
No. Ambidext is not a steroid. It belongs to the anti-depressant class of drugs, more specifically SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor). It works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline) in the nervous system.

Q. Is Ambidext a blood thinner?
No. Ambidext is not a blood thinner. Blood thinners prevent the formation of harmful blood clots.

Q. Is Ambidext a stimulant?
No. Ambidext is not a stimulant. Stimulants are the medicines which activate the central nervous system.

Q. Is Ambidext a pain killer?
No. Ambidext is not a classical painkiller e.g. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).Duloxetine is used for the treatment of chronic pain conditions like neuropathic pain, diabetic neuropathy or fibromyalgia.

Q. Is Ambidext a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)?
No. Ambidext is not a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It belongs to a class of anti-depressants called SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors).

Q. Is Ambidext a benzodiazepine?
No. Ambidext is not a benzodiazepine. It belongs to a class of anti-depressants called SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors). Benzodiazepines belong to the sedative-hypnotic class of drugs and include agents like diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam etc.

Q. Is Ambidext a narcotic?
No. Ambidext is not a narcotic. It means it does not have habit-forming potential. Narcotics are the substance which can cause addiction and dependence.

Q. Is Ambidext a psychotropic?
Yes. A psychotropic is a medicine that affects mind, emotions, and behaviour. Ambidext, being an anti-depressant agent reduces the symptoms of depression and is a psychotropic agent.

Q. Can I take Ambidext if I have Hepatitis C virus infection?
Ambidext should be used with caution in patients with Hepatitis C virus infection. Cases of liver injury, including severe elevations of liver enzymes (>10-times upper limit of normal), hepatitis, and jaundice have been reported with Ambidext. Taking Ambidext increases the risk of liver toxicity and fatty liver in Hepatitis C virus-infected patients.

Q. What is the peak plasma concentration [Cmax] of Ambidext?
The maximum plasma concentration [Cmax] of Ambidext is 6 hours post oral dose. Food taken with Ambidext may delay the time to reach the peak plasma concentration from 6 to 10 hours. This may marginally decrease the extent of absorption (approximately 11%).

Q. Can I take Ambidext with Vitamin D?
Yes. Ambidextcan be taken with vitamin D. It does not have any known interaction with Vitamin D.

Q. What is half life of Ambidext?
The elimination half-life of Ambidext ranges from 8 to 17 hours (mean 12 hours).

Q. Which is better in depression, Ambidext or fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine has not been found to be different in either tolerability or efficacy when compared with Ambidext in major depression. Ambidext is good for treating depression, anxiety and may help with chronic pain.

Q. Which is better Ambidext vs sertraline?
Ambidext and sertraline are found to be equally effective in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Certain symptoms like agitation and anxiety are reduced better by sertraline. Ambidext has been found to be better than sertraline for neuropathic pain.

Q. Which is better for chronic pain, Ambidext or pregabalin?
In patients with fibromyalgia Ambidext is found to be better than pregabalin in reducing depressed mood. Pregabalin is better in reducing fatigue. Ambidext and pregabalin generally provide equally comparable pain relieving efficacy in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).

Q. Which is better Ambidext or fluoxetine?
Ambidext has been found to be better for the treatment of chronic pain than Fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is good for treating depression and anxiety.

Q. Which is better for depression, Ambidext or mirtazapine?
Currently, there is not enough information to firmly recommend one antidepressant over another. However, both these drugs have been found to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of depression.

Q. Which is better for depression, Ambidext or venlafaxine?
Currently, there is not enough information to firmly recommend one antidepressant over another. Many doctors favour Ambidext over venlafaxine when pain conditions coexist with depression.

Q. Is Ambidext a barbiturate?
No. Ambidext is not a barbiturate. Barbiturates belong to the Sedative-Hypnotic class of drugs and are likely to have abuse potential.

Q. When to take Ambidext?
Ambidext can cause difficulty in sleep (insomnia). Hence, it is advised to be taken in the morning than at night.

Q. When does Ambidext start working?
Usually, the action of Ambidext takes about three to four weeks to appear. Do not discontinue the therapy in between, thinking that it is not effective.

Q. How much dose of Ambidext can produce overdose?
Overdose can occur at a doses as low as 1000 mg. Signs and symptoms of overdose (duloxetine alone or in combination with other medicinal products) included somnolence, coma, serotonin syndrome, seizures, vomiting and tachycardia.

Q. How does Ambidext work in urinary incontinence?
Ambidext is thought to work by interfering with certain chemicals (called serotonin and noradrenaline) that are used within the nerves that send messages to your pelvic floor muscles. This helps the muscles around the bladder outlet to contract more strongly, and this in turn controls the flow of urine and helps to prevent any leakage.

Q. Can I take Ambidext with amitriptyline?
It is better to avoid Ambidext and amitriptyline together. It can increase the risk of a serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, with symptoms such as confusion, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Q. Can I take Ambidext with sertraline?
It is better to avoid Ambidext and sertraline together. It can increase the risk of a serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, with symptoms such as confusion, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Q. Can I take Ambidext with tramadol?
Ambidext and tramadol together can increase the risk of a serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, with symptoms such as confusion, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Please inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines before coming to him.

Q. Can I take Ambidext with bupropion?
Bupropion can cause inhibition of metabolism of Ambidext in the body, resulting in toxic effects of Duloxetine. The concomitant use of these two drugs can result in seizures. Mention it to your doctor if you are taking any of these medications from before.

Q. Which is better in diabetic neuropathy, duloxetine or pregabalin?
In patients with fibromyalgia, Ambidext is found to be better than pregabalin in reducing depressed mood. Pregabalin is better in reducing fatigue. Ambidext and pregabalin generally provide equally comparable pain relieving efficacy in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).

Q. Can Ambidext get me high?
No. Ambidext does not cause a high. It does not create a feeling of euphoria and has no recreational potential.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for arthritis?
Ambidext is not approved for the treatment of arthritis. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, diabetic nerve disease, neuropathic pain and overactive urinary bladder.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for sciatica?
No, Ambidext is not approved for the treatment of sciatica. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, diabetic nerve disease, neuropathic pain and overactive urinary bladder.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type anxiety disorder. It is approved for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Research studies suggest that Ambidext may provide a significant reduction in symptoms for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for hot flashes?
No. Ambidext is not approved for use in hot flashes. It may be used in the treatment of depression in postmenopausal women suffering from menopausal vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) and insomnia.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for headaches?
No, Duloxetine is not approved for use in headaches. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, diabetic nerve disease, neuropathic pain and overactive urinary bladder.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for a migraine?
No. Ambidext is not approved for use in a migraine. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, diabetic nerve disease, neuropathic pain and overactive urinary bladder.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for chronic pain?
Ambidext is approved for the treatment of chronic pain states including neuropathic pain (nerve pain) associated with Diabetes Mellitus and fibromyalgia.

Q. Can I use Ambidext for nerve pain?
Yes. Ambidext is approved for use in nerve pain or neuropathic pain conditions, most commonly seen in patients suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.

Q. Can Ambidext raise blood sugar levels?
No. Ambidext may affect blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor.