Cymbalta (generic duloxetine) is an antidepressant that is prescribed to treat a variety of mood disorders, but has also caused a number of complications.

A group of plaintiffs from Indiana filed a Cymbalta withdrawal symptom lawsuit against drug maker Eli Lilly & Co. for allegedly failing to protect them against the Cymbalta side effects.

Each plaintiff claims that he or she suffered extreme withdrawal symptoms after they stopped taking Cymbalta, such as dizziness, nausea, and something called “brain zaps,” which are electric shock-like sensations that occur in the brain. They allege that at no point before or after their Cymbalta prescriptions, did the defendants warn them against the possibility of withdrawal symptoms.

Cymbalta is one of Eli Lilly’s best selling products, with the drug’s annual sales exceeding $3.9 billion. The anti-depressant was approved by the FDA in 2004. Eli Lilly reportedly spends millions each year marketing Cymbalta to the public and medical community, focusing on direct seller-to-buyer consultations.

Another factor of Cymbalta’s success, according to medical opinion, is that Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. Medications in this class are commonly prescribed to patients with depression or pain because they work by increasing the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

Overview of Cymbalta Withdrawal Allegations

The plaintiffs claim in their Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms lawsuit that the withdrawal symptoms lasted months after ending the prescription, when the label suggested that the side effects would only last a short time, or would not occur at all.

This, they claim, is not true, as each of the plaintiffs allegedly experienced similar withdrawal symptoms and claim that the company was more interested in protecting Cymbalta’s market value, rather than their safety. Each of the plaintiffs insist that they never would have used Cymbalta if they had known about the risks of withdrawal symptoms.

The Cymbalta lawsuit claims that Eli Lilly had the civil responsibility of warning not only the plaintiffs, but also other Cymbalta consumers of the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, because they rely on the given information.

The plaintiffs who have joined together in this Cymbalta lawsuit include:

• Plaintiff Aaron B. was prescribed Cymbalta between February 2011 and April 2013. Days after ending his prescription, he reported serious withdrawal symptoms including: extreme mood swings, agitation, irritability, brain zaps, vertigo, and dizziness.
• Plaintiff Margaret B. was prescribed Cymbalta from April 2012 to April 2013. Days after ending the prescription, Margaret reported withdrawal symptoms: fainting spells, stroke, nausea, and suicidal thoughts.
• Plaintiff Jeanette B. was prescribed Cymbalta from January 2007 to April 2013. Days after ending the prescription, she experienced withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, nightmares, sleep disturbances, and insomnia.
• Plaintiff Artwetta C. was prescribed Cymbalta from February 2012 to April 2013. Days after ending the prescription, Artwetta experienced withdrawal symptoms such as brain zaps, violent dreams, vertigo, and suicidal thoughts.
• Plaintiff Marcia M. was prescribed Cymbalta from 2012 to April 2013. Days after ending the prescription, she experienced withdrawal symptoms including: mood swings, agitation, brain zaps, vertigo, and nausea.
• Plaintiff Kimberly S. was prescribed Cymbalta from June 2009 to April 2013. Days after ending the prescription, she experienced dangerous withdrawal symptoms: irritability, brain zaps, vertigo, and fatigue.

Despite the success and praise the drug has received, there have been numerous allegations against Eli Lilly for failing to warn patients and health care professionals of these alleged Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms —  specifically, how often Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms occur, how severe they are, and how long the withdrawal symptoms last.

Patients have complained of withdrawal symptoms lasting months or even years after ceasing Cymbalta, with patients shocked at the longevity of the recurring Cymbalta side effects.

There are at least 10 other plaintiffs who were prescribed Cymbalta to treat their depression, anxiety, pain, or other disorder and experienced withdrawal symptoms after ceasing Cymbalta. This group of plaintiffs allege product liability charges including: negligence, false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.

This Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-00531-WTL-MJD, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division.