Voltaren vs Cymbalta: side-by-side comparison
Voltaren (Schmerzmedikamente) and Cymbalta (Antidepressiva) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Voltaren | Cymbalta |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Diclofenac | Duloxetine |
| Manufacturer | Novartis | Eli Lilly |
| Class | Schmerzmedikamente | Antidepressiva |
| Strengths | 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg | 20mg, 30mg, 60mg |
| Forms | tablet, delayed-release tablet, topical gel, suppository | capsule |
What's the same
Voltaren and Cymbalta are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Voltaren belongs to Schmerzmedikamente while Cymbalta belongs to Antidepressiva. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Voltaren: Diclofenac hemmt reversibel die Cyclooxygenase-Enzyme COX-1 und COX-2, mit etwas stärkerer Selektivität für COX-2 als Ibuprofen und Naproxen. Cymbalta: Cymbalta hemmt die Wiederaufnahme von Serotonin und Noradrenalin an der Synapse.
When Voltaren is preferred
Voltaren ist bei Erwachsenen zur Behandlung von Arthrose, rheumatoider Arthritis, ankylosierender Spondylitis, akuten muskuloskelettalen Schmerzen, postoperativen Schmerzen, primärer Dysmenorrhoe, akuter Migräne und Ureterkolik zugelassen.
When Cymbalta is preferred
Cymbalta ist zur Behandlung der Major Depression, der generalisierten Angststörung, diabetischer peripherer neuropathischer Schmerzen, Fibromyalgie und chronischer muskuloskelettaler Schmerzen zugelassen.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Is Voltaren or Cymbalta better? ▾
Voltaren and Cymbalta are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Voltaren to Cymbalta? ▾
Switching between Voltaren and Cymbalta is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Voltaren and Cymbalta have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Voltaren comparisons
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