Drizalma Sprinkle (Duloxetine) for Depression

Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating major depressive disorder in adults.

How Drizalma Sprinkle Works and How It’s Taken

Drizalma Sprinkle is a type of medication called a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by raising levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, two brain chemicals that help regulate mood. The exact way it treats depression is not fully known.

Doctors prescribe Drizalma Sprinkle to adults with major depressive disorder.

Drizalma Sprinkle is taken by mouth as a delayed-release capsule. It is usually taken once each day. It can be taken with or without food.

Capsules may be opened and contents sprinkled over applesauce, but Drizalma Sprinkle capsules should not be crushed or chewed.

Typical Dosing for Depression

The recommended starting dose of Drizalma Sprinkle for depression is 40 milligrams per day to 60 milligrams per day. The 40-milligram-per-day dose is given as 20 milligrams twice daily.

For people who respond to treatment, the recommended maintenance dose is 60 milligrams taken once daily or 30 milligrams twice daily.

A doctor may increase the dose up to 120 milligrams per day if needed, although some people do not experience additional symptom relief at doses above 60 milligrams per day. When stopping treatment, the doctor will slowly lower the dose instead of stopping it all at once.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Drizalma Sprinkle Side Effects

In clinical studies of Drizalma Sprinkle, the most common side effects in adults occurred in about 6 percent to 23 percent of people. They include:

Nausea
Dry mouth
Somnolence (sleepiness)
Constipation
Decreased appetite
Hyperhidrosis (increased sweating)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Drizalma Sprinkle can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors — The risk is higher in people 24 years and younger.
Hepatotoxicity (liver problems) — These can include liver failure.
Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing up), falls, or syncope (fainting) — These problems can occur during treatment.
Serotonin syndrome — This is a potentially life-threatening reaction from too much serotonin.
Increased risk of bleeding — This risk may be higher if you also take medicines like aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, or other blood thinners.
Severe skin reactions — These can include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, with blistering or peeling skin.
Discontinuation syndrome — Withdrawal-like symptoms can occur after stopping suddenly.
Mania or hypomania — Unusually elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, or risky behavior can occur.
Angle-closure glaucoma — A sudden increase in eye pressure can cause eye pain or vision changes.
Seizures — Seizures can occur during treatment.
Increased blood pressure — Blood pressure may rise during treatment.
Hyponatremia (low sodium levels) — Low sodium levels can occur during treatment.
Urinary hesitation or urinary retention — Trouble starting urination or emptying the bladder can occur.
Sexual dysfunction — Sexual problems can occur.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction or experience changes in mood or suicidal thoughts, actions, behaviors, or feelings.

How To Save on Drizalma Sprinkle

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, the manufacturer of Drizalma Sprinkle, does not appear to list an official savings or copay program for Drizalma Sprinkle.

Ask your pharmacist or prescribing healthcare provider if there are any Sun Pharma-run support resources for Drizalma Sprinkle, or call 800-818-4555.

What To Know Before Taking Drizalma Sprinkle

Before starting Drizalma Sprinkle, your doctor may screen you for bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to duloxetine or any ingredients in Drizalma Sprinkle.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.

Do not take Drizalma Sprinkle if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), have stopped taking an MAOI in the past 14 days, or are being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. Do not start an MAOI for at least five days after you stop Drizalma Sprinkle.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Drizalma Sprinkle is also FDA approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder in adults and children ages 7 and older, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults, fibromyalgia in adults, and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Drizalma Sprinkle, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Using Drizalma Sprinkle in the third trimester of pregnancy may raise the risk of problems in newborns. These may include trouble breathing, unstable body temperature, feeding problems, low muscle tone, shaking, and irritability.

Women who are breastfeeding and taking duloxetine should watch their baby for signs like sleepiness, trouble feeding, or poor weight gain. If they notice any of these signs, they should contact a doctor.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Drizalma Sprinkle?

In studies, people who took Drizalma Sprinkle had more improvement in their depression symptoms than people who took a placebo (an inactive treatment). This was measured using a standard depression rating scale. In another study, people who kept taking the medicine stayed well longer and had a lower chance of depression relapse than those who took a placebo.

How long does Drizalma Sprinkle take to work for depression?

Studies do not give an exact number of days or weeks for when Drizalma Sprinkle starts to improve depression symptoms. The medicine builds up in the body over a few days, but this does not mean symptoms will improve right away. It may take several weeks for symptoms to improve after a change in dose.

Can Drizalma Sprinkle cause sleepiness or sweating when used for depression?

Yes. In adults with major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, sleepiness was reported in 9 percent of people, and increased sweating was reported in 6 percent of people.

What should I do if I stop taking Drizalma Sprinkle for depression or miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Do not stop treatment abruptly because the dose should be reduced gradually rather than stopped suddenly.