Experts expect the legal momentum to continue as injured patients keep filing Cymbalta withdrawal lawsuits against Eli Lilly & Co.

In December 2014, a group of plaintiffs from different areas of the country filed a Cymbalta withdrawal lawsuit after taking Cymbalta for depression and other treatment purposes and sustaining serious injuries as a result of what has become known as Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome.

Cymbalta is a popular selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medication. This class of drugs is designed for treating major forms of depression and anxiety. Cymbalta can also be prescribed to treat pain.

Overview of Cymbalta Withdrawal Allegations

While Cymbalta is reportedly effective at treating depression and pain, it has come under fire for causing severe withdrawal symptoms when patients stop taking the medication. In some cases, these withdrawal symptoms have been so bad that patients were forced to restart their prescription, miss work, and suffer various other interruptions to their lives.

Many patients have reported that the withdrawal symptoms last weeks, or even months after the prescription ends. These former Cymbalta patients complain that the label grossly understates the severity and length of the withdrawal symptoms.

The plaintiffs in the December 2014 litigation state that they never would have taken Cymbalta if they had known the possible withdrawal symptoms they would have to endure.

One of the plaintiffs, Rachel B. from California, was prescribed Cymbalta in 2012 for depression. She stopped taking Cymbalta in 2013. Soon after, she started experiencing withdrawal symptoms including extreme mood swings, agitation, irritability, electric shock-like sensations called “brain zaps” in her head, nightmares, sleep disturbance, vertigo, dizziness, and suicidal thoughts.

Another plaintiff, Kenneth P. from South Carolina, was also prescribed Cymbalta in 2012. After taking the prescription for pain treatment, he discontinued the drug in early 2013. Within days of stopping, Kenneth experienced dangerous withdrawal symptoms including violent mood swings, nightmares, dizziness, nausea, and suicidal thoughts.

Other plaintiffs suffered similar adverse effects when stopping their prescriptions. All of the plaintiffs are reportedly still contending with the after-effects of the withdrawal symptoms.

Eli Lilly reportedly spends millions per year on advertising Cymbalta, but has yet to address the issue regarding Cymbalta’s warning label. The label suggests that severe withdrawal symptoms are rare, and last for only a short time period. Numerous injury reports suggest otherwise.

This Cymbalta Withdrawal Lawsuit is Rachel B., et al. v. Eli Lilly & Co., Case 1:15-cv-01483-JMS-DKL, in U.S. District Court for the District of Eastern California, Sacramento Division.