Cymbalta (or duloxetine) is a popular serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant medication, which is also used to treat fibromyalgia.

While this drug has brought many patients success in helping manage their depression symptoms and pain from fibromyalgia, many individuals seeking to stop or reduce their Cymbalta dosage have met unexpected setbacks thanks to a condition known as antidepressant withdrawal syndrome.

Symptoms of Cymbalta Discontinuation Syndrome

While any antidepressant can cause antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, the severity and prevalence of Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome has surprised and worried the medical community.

According to an FDA advisory committee’s report regarding Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome, “Much anecdotal evidence has accumulated documenting the injury, distress and life management impacts caused by discontinuation of Cymbalta. The effects of discontinuation can be severe and extend for weeks or even months.”

Because of Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome, many patients may never be able to stop taking the medication, even when they no longer need it to manage depression symptoms.

Some known Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome symptoms include:

• Brain zaps
• Suicidal thoughts
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Nightmares
• Diarrhea
• Excessive sweating
• Involuntary laughing or crying
• Tinnitus (or ringing in the ears)
• Extreme mood swings
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Limb pain
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Seizures
• Hypomania

Cymbalta’s drug label does address the possibility of attempting to discontinue the antidepressant medication. According to the drug’s prescribing information provided by the Cymbalta’s manufacturer Eli Lilly: “A gradual reduction in the [Cymbalta] dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate.”

While this seems like sound medical advice from the pharmaceutical company, there is an apparent hitch in this dose decreasing plan. Cymbalta only comes in 20 milligram, 30 milligram, and 60 milligram doses, which means a gradual reduction may not be possible, especially once a patient wants to decrease their dosage by less than 20 milligrams.

Additionally, Cymbalta comes in a capsule form, not a pill, therefore it cannot be cut or crushed to meet a specific individual’s antidepressant reduction needs and may increase the risk that they experience Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome.

Furthermore, according to Eli Lilly, “Cymbalta … should not be chewed or crushed, nor should the capsule be opened and its contents sprinkled on food or mixed with liquids.” This means that there is no practical way to reduce a Cymbalta dosage without numerous patients developing antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.

 Cymbalta Withdrawal Syndrome Litigation

A Cymbalta drug study published in 2005 suggests that 51 percent of patients using Cymbalta experience mild to severe antidepressant discontinuation syndrome symptoms.

This same study also states that up to 17 percent of the patients who participated in this Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome study allegedly experienced the more severe withdrawal symptoms associated with Cymbalta antidepressant withdrawal.

Those who have suffered from Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome may be eligible to file a Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome lawsuit or join a Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome class action lawsuit against Eli Lilly.