Synthroid vs Cymbalta: side-by-side comparison
Synthroid (Hormones et contraception) and Cymbalta (Antidépresseurs) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Synthroid | Cymbalta |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Levothyroxine | Duloxetine |
| Manufacturer | AbbVie | Eli Lilly |
| Class | Hormones et contraception | Antidépresseurs |
| Strengths | 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg, 100mcg, 150mcg | 20mg, 30mg, 60mg |
| Forms | tablet | capsule |
What's the same
Synthroid 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
Synthroid belongs to Hormones et contraception while Cymbalta belongs to Antidépresseurs. 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
Synthroid: La lévothyroxine remplace la thyroxine endogène déficitaire, convertie dans les tissus en hormone active, la triiodothyronine (T3), par les enzymes désiodases. Cymbalta: Cymbalta inhibe la recapture synaptique de la sérotonine et de la noradrénaline.
When Synthroid is preferred
Synthroid est autorisé dans l'hypothyroïdie de toute cause (thyroïdite de Hashimoto, post-thyroïdectomie, post-iode radioactif, congénitale), dans le goitre et dans la freination de la TSH après cancer thyroïdien différencié.
When Cymbalta is preferred
Cymbalta est autorisé dans la dépression caractérisée, le trouble anxieux généralisé, les douleurs neuropathiques périphériques diabétiques, la fibromyalgie et les douleurs musculosquelettiques chroniques.
Questions fréquentes
Is Synthroid or Cymbalta better? ▾
Synthroid 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 Synthroid to Cymbalta? ▾
Switching between Synthroid 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 Synthroid 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 Synthroid comparisons
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.