Robert J. Boumis  |  October 28, 2014

Category: Legal News

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cymbalta stevens johnson syndromeMany patients taking antidepressants like Cymbalta suffer withdrawal, though the drug’s makers prefer to call it an “antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.” With information about Cymbalta withdrawal only becoming widespread in the last few years, many patients may only now be getting Cymbalta withdrawal help.

According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) documents dating to 2009, government regulators had begun to receive reports of a variety of Cymbalta side effects, and needed to put together a plan to study the problem and develop protocols to provide Cymbalta withdrawal help.

The FDA’s documents note there were two major categories of Cymbalta side effects reported when patients stopped taking the drug. The first category consisted of direct medical Cymbalta side effects, including allegations of painful physical, neurological, and mood effects. Additionally, the FDA’s documents noted reports of social and professional problems stemming from the issues associated with Cymbalta.

The FDA’s 2009 internal presentation on the alleged Cymbalta withdrawal side effects mentioned reports or anecdotes of a variety of serious medical problems. This could potentially include both neurological (brain and nerve) problems, as well as physical and emotional symptoms. One Cymbalta withdrawal side effect the FDA noted was reports of “brain zaps.” Brain zaps are a neurological symptom that feels like being shocked in the brain. The phenomenon comes on sudden, causing pain and startling patients. Additionally, the FDA had found reports of “extreme mood swings,” including both anger and irritability.

A special concern in the FDA’s report on Cymbalta withdrawal was reports that the emotional and psychological symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal could harm social relationships. The FDA’s presentation suggested that Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms could risk a person’s employment or strain relationships with family. Of special concern, since the packaging of Cymbalta did not strongly warn of these concerns, physicians might mistake mood swings and irritability for just having a difficult patient, promoting distrust between doctor and patient. This could potentially complicate matters for patients trying to get Cymbalta withdrawal help.

Also according to the 2009 FDA presentation, Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms were more widespread and severe than reported by the drug’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly. Additionally, the FDA alleged that Lilly had mechanisms in place to suppress reports of side effects, including having a “help” line that did not generate electronic paper trails for complaints, with call center staff trained to “minimize the nature of the discontinuation.” The FDA charged that Eli Lilly refused to “provide copies of notes or transcripts of notes taken during the phone calls.” The FDA alleges that this is all an effort to perpetrate an “evasion of accountability.”

One avenue for patients suffering from antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is through a Cymbalta lawsuit. Drug makers are obligated to thoroughly test their drug for both safety and efficacy, and to monitor post-market reports and medical journals for signs that their drug may have unforeseen consequences. In the past, legal action against drug makers have alleged that they have failed in their duty to protect the public from potentially dangerous drug side effects. A Cymbalta lawsuit could seek to recoup medical costs or lost wages suffered from lost employment or lost hours due to alleged Cymbalta side effects.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Cymbalta attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Cymbalta class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Cymbalta withdrawal lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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