CYMBALTA vs PRISTIQ

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CYMBALTA and PRISTIQ are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	CYMBALTA	PRISTIQ
Rating	New	New
Pharmacy pays	~$3.41 /30	~$115.24 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE	DESVENLAFAXINE SUCCINATE
Manufacturer	Lilly	Pf Prism Cv
Dosage forms	Capsule, delayed release	Tablet, extended release
Drug class	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	None	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 12 hours (typically 8 to 17 hours)	—
Treats	Anxiety Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Diabetic Neuropathies	Major Depressive Disorder

cymbalta pristiq

Rating

New

Pharmacy pays

~$3.41 /30

~$115.24 /30

Type

Active ingredient

DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

DESVENLAFAXINE SUCCINATE

Manufacturer

Lilly

Pf Prism Cv

Dosage forms

Capsule, delayed release

Tablet, extended release

Drug class

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

None

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 12 hours (typically 8 to 17 hours)

—

Treats

Anxiety Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Diabetic Neuropathies

Major Depressive Disorder

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Cymbalta or Pristiq?

Cymbalta costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $3.41 vs $115.24 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Cymbalta and Pristiq?

Cymbalta contains Duloxetine Hydrochloride, while Pristiq contains Desvenlafaxine Succinate — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.