Does Duloxetine Increase Body Temperature? Understanding Antidepressants and Thermoregulation

October 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to drug labeling and clinical reports, a common side effect of duloxetine is increased sweating, which is related to how the medication influences the body's natural thermostat. Understanding the relationship between antidepressants and temperature regulation is key to answering the question: Does duloxetine increase body temperature?

Quick Summary

Duloxetine can cause increased sweating due to its impact on serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that regulate body temperature. While direct fever is not common, it can be a rare sign of a serious condition like serotonin syndrome.

Key Points

Common Side Effect: Duloxetine commonly causes increased sweating (hyperhidrosis) by affecting norepinephrine and the sympathetic nervous system.
Alters Thermoregulation: The medication can affect the hypothalamus, the brain's thermostat, by changing serotonin and norepinephrine levels, which can make a person feel hotter.
Rare but Serious Risk: Hyperthermia (high fever) is a symptom of serotonin syndrome, a dangerous condition that can be triggered by duloxetine, especially in overdose or with drug interactions.
Not a Routine Fever: An increase in core body temperature is not a standard side effect; feeling hot or experiencing night sweats is more common.
Managing Heat Sensitivity: For common symptoms, stay hydrated, avoid extreme heat, and wear light clothing. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist.
Recognize Serotonin Syndrome: Key signs include high fever, agitation, confusion, and muscle stiffness. Seek immediate medical care if you experience these.

Duloxetine, Neurotransmitters, and Thermoregulation

Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. While known for their effects on mood, these neurotransmitters also play a crucial role in the body's temperature regulation, which is primarily controlled by the hypothalamus. By altering the balance of these chemical messengers, duloxetine can inadvertently disrupt the body's internal thermostat, leading to changes in how a person perceives and regulates heat.

The Mechanism Behind Temperature Changes

Serotonin's Role: Serotonin is involved in regulating many physiological processes, including thermoregulation. When serotonin levels are altered by an SNRI like duloxetine, the signals to the hypothalamus, the brain's control center for temperature, can be affected. This can lead to difficulties in cooling down, feeling too warm, or experiencing heat intolerance.
Norepinephrine's Role: Norepinephrine also plays a part in the body's sympathetic nervous system, which controls processes like sweating. Increased levels can stimulate sweat glands, leading to the hyperhidrosis commonly reported by patients.

Common vs. Serious Temperature-Related Effects of Duloxetine

It is important to differentiate between common, less severe side effects and rare, serious conditions that can impact body temperature.

Common Side Effects: Increased Sweating

Increased sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a frequently reported side effect of duloxetine. This is not the same as an increase in core body temperature but rather a disruption of the body's cooling mechanism. Patients might experience:

Generalized sweating: Sweating more than usual during daily activities.
Night sweats: Waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat.
Heat intolerance: Feeling uncomfortably warm or overheating more easily, especially in hot weather.

Serious Side Effect: Serotonin Syndrome

In rare cases, an excess of serotonin can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. One of the hallmark symptoms of this syndrome is hyperthermia, a dangerous elevation in body temperature. Serotonin syndrome is most likely to occur when duloxetine is taken in overdose or in combination with other medications that increase serotonin levels, such as other antidepressants, triptans for migraines, or certain herbal supplements like St. John's Wort.

Here is a list of symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome:

Agitation or restlessness
Hallucinations
Rapid heart rate and blood pressure changes
Fever (hyperthermia)
Muscle stiffness or twitching
Overactive reflexes
Loss of coordination
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

A Comparison of Temperature-Related Effects


Feature	Increased Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)	Serotonin Syndrome (Hyperthermia)
Incidence	Common side effect	Rare, but serious adverse event
Mechanism	Increased stimulation of sweat glands via norepinephrine	Excess serotonin causing systemic effects on the central nervous system
Symptoms	Noticeably more sweating (day or night), heat intolerance	High fever, confusion, agitation, muscle rigidity, fast heart rate
Action	Manage with lifestyle adjustments (hydration, avoiding heat)	Immediate medical attention required, potentially life-threatening
Trigger	Can happen with normal therapeutic doses	Overdose or interaction with other serotonergic drugs

Management Strategies and Precautions

If you are taking duloxetine and experiencing increased sweating or heat sensitivity, there are several steps you can take to manage these symptoms:

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, as increased sweating can lead to dehydration.
Avoid excessive heat: Limit exposure to extreme heat, particularly during peak hours.
Wear appropriate clothing: Choose loose-fitting, light-colored clothing that allows your body to breathe.
Use cooling methods: Use fans, take cool baths, or apply cold compresses to help your body cool down.
Consult your doctor: Discussing persistent or concerning symptoms with your healthcare provider is crucial. They may suggest a dosage adjustment.

For a general guide on heat and medications, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides valuable information.

Conclusion: Navigating Duloxetine's Effects on Body Temperature

While duloxetine is not known to routinely cause an increase in core body temperature, it can affect thermoregulation, leading to common side effects like increased sweating and heat sensitivity. These effects are generally manageable with simple lifestyle adjustments. However, it is vital for patients to be aware of the rare but severe risk of serotonin syndrome, which presents with a high fever and other serious symptoms and requires immediate medical attention. Open communication with your healthcare provider is the best approach to ensuring safety and effectively managing any temperature-related side effects while on duloxetine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, night sweats are a reported side effect of duloxetine, and they are part of the increased sweating (hyperhidrosis) that the medication can cause.

Increased sweating is a common side effect of duloxetine related to altered sympathetic nervous system activity and is a cooling mechanism. Hyperthermia, a dangerous increase in core body temperature, is a symptom of the rare but serious condition known as serotonin syndrome.

If you are only feeling hot or experiencing increased sweating, it may be a manageable side effect. However, if this is accompanied by a high fever, confusion, agitation, or muscle stiffness, it could be a sign of serotonin syndrome, and you should seek immediate medical help.

Yes, duloxetine affects neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which influence the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature.

Serotonin syndrome is a medical emergency. You should stop taking duloxetine immediately and seek urgent medical attention if you experience symptoms like high fever, confusion, rapid heart rate, or muscle twitching.

Yes, the risk of serotonin syndrome and hyperthermia increases when duloxetine is combined with other drugs that boost serotonin levels. These include other antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, triptans, and herbal products like St. John's Wort.

To manage heat intolerance, stay hydrated, wear light and loose clothing, and avoid strenuous activity in hot environments. Your doctor can also advise on specific management strategies or dose adjustments.