Generic Versions of Antidepressant Cymbalta Approved

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the first generic version of Cymbalta (duloxetine delayed-release capsules), a prescription that's typically used to treat depression, according to a press release. 

"Health care professionals and consumers can be assured that these FDA-approved generic drugs have met our rigorous standards," said Kathleen Uhl, M.D., acting director of the Office of Generic Drugs in the FDA's Center for Drug and Research, according to the release. "Generic drugs offer greater access to health care for many people."

However, you might wonder what makes generic brands different from the regular name-brand types.

Generic prescriptions are typically approved by the FDA and have the same high quality and strength as brand-name drugs.

In more scientific terms, once the patent life for a brand-name drug expires, it's eligible to be made into a "generic drug." Though the drug may differ in color, taste, shape, preservatives, inactive ingredients, and/or packaging, the manufacturers must ultimately ensure that the same active ingredients that are found in the brand-name product are also found in the generic brand. 

In many cases, the only difference seems to be price, as name-brand prescriptions are more expensive than the generic versions. However, this is not always the case, and sometimes, doctors will request that name-brands are used over generic versions for certain medical reasons.

Companies such as Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Lupin Ltd., Sun Pharma, Global FZE, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. have all received FDA approval to market duloxetine.

Common side effects reported in studies for those taking Cymbalta include nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, decreased appetite, increased sweating and dizziness.