Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an antidepressant drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. Prescribed to treat a variety of conditions other than depression including anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic muscle and bone pain the drug has produced almost $24 billion in total sales.

But patients who stop taking Cymbalta may face an increased risk of severe antidepressant withdrawal side effects.

Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe — the latter consisting of debilitating and painful symptoms that can last several months and is referred to as Cymbalta Discontinuation Syndrome.

In the first quarter of 2012, the FDA received 48 case reports of Cymbalta Discontinuation Syndrome, which occurs when patients attempt to stop using Cymbalta. While described as temporary and seemingly minor, Cymbalta side effects have been known to be much more debilitating than previously thought and may last extended periods of time.

Reports described a wide array of complications after Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome including:

• Extreme mood swings affecting interpersonal relationships (rage & extreme irritability leading to violent outbursts)
• Debilitating “Brain Zaps”
• Flu-like symptoms (nausea, body aches, chills, fever)
• Paresthesia (a tingling or burning sensation under the skin)
• Suicidal ideas
• Weight gain
• Ringing in ears
• Blurry vision/tunnel vision
• Stomach aches
• Vivid nightmares
• Sexual dysfunction
• Dizziness (dizziness’ can describe vertigo so severe that patients cannot get out of bed)
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Muscle and joint pain
• Muscle spasms
• Intellectual disability

In many cases, these and other Cymbalta side effects are so severe that patients must continue taking Cymbalta simply to ease the withdrawal symptoms. It can create a vicious cycle that can leave a patient dependent on the drug.

Evidence suggests that Eli Lilly was aware of the high risk of Cymbalta side effects and not only failed to adequately disclose this information to the public or warn users but also downplayed the risk while promoting use of their product with misleading advertisements.

On top of this, Eli Lilly has made tapering off the drug slowly very challenging because the drug only comes in capsule form (versus a tablet that can be divided) and only 3 doses are available, 30 mg, 60 mg and 120 mg.

Consumers desperate to wean off the drug have resorted to trying to break open the capsules and counting off the beads.

Cymbalta Withdrawal Lawsuits

Although the FDA granted approval for Cymbalta, many consumers have suffered severe side effects, especially after attempting to discontinue use of the drug.

Studies have shown that consumers experience a wide array of physical and emotional side effects when attempting to withdraw from Cymbalta.

If you or a loved one has suffered from withdrawal after stopping or attempting to stop taking Cymbalta, you may be entitled to compensation.