Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a commonly prescribed medication for mood issues and certain physical conditions. While it is most often used to treat depression, it is also used to treat anxiety, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy and chronic pain.

Cymbalta is known as a serotonin-norepinepherine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This medication works by blocking the absorption (reuptake) of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinepherine, helping to rebalance brain chemistry.

Duloxetine may improve mood, decrease nervous tension, increase appetite, help with energy and decrease pain. However, some individuals who take Cymbalta may increase a worsening of symptoms, such as increased depression or anxiety, other mood changes (such as new or worsening panic attacks, anxiety, irritability, increased anger/hostility), insomnia and restlessness. For some, Cymbalta may cause serious thought or behavior changes leading to new or increased suicidal thoughts and/or suicide attempts.

Discontinuing Cymbalta carries its own set of adverse reactions for some users. A growing number of Cymbalta lawsuits accuse the drug’s manufacturer of failing to warn about how severe withdrawal from Cymbalta actually is.

Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms

Individuals and their physicians may decide to discontinue use of Cymbalta due to poor response, severe side effects, or may wish to end treatment following successful treatment and resolution of symptoms.

Discontinuation of the pharmaceutical has its own complications, and users often experience a new set of symptoms as they are stopping the drug. Tapering down the dosage slowly under a doctor’s guidance is safest, yet this does not prevent many of the uncomfortable Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms.

Some of these symptoms/side effects of Cymbalta withdrawal include:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• “Brain zaps” (sensations of an electric shock in the brain)
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Extreme mood swings
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Hypomania
• Insomnia
• Involuntary Laughing or crying
• Limb Pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nightmares
• Paranoia
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts
• Tinnitus

Cymbalta Withdrawal Syndrome

Doctors are aware of a condition following cessation of antidepressants called Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome, a more comprehensive term to indicate multiple symptoms antidepressant withdrawal.

About 20% of antidepressant users of all antidepressant formulations are affected by the syndrome. While the package insert for Cymbalta indicated that approximately 1-2% of consumers would experience such a serious withdrawal, studies have shown that the actual percentage of affected individuals is much higher, with a range of 50-78% of users experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

This collection of withdrawal symptoms in individuals on Cymbalta was so severe and widespread, it received its own classification: Cymbalta Withdrawal Syndrome.

This syndrome of troubling symptoms will generally resolve itself within one to two weeks, but it is not uncommon for Cymbalta Withdrawal Syndrome to extend to several weeks or months in some cases. Consumers may be so distressed by the affects of the drug withdrawal that they decide to continue the antidepressant therapy indefinitely because the side effects of withdrawal are more unbearable than any side effects experienced on the drug itself.

The Dilemma of Cymbalta Withdrawal

Once patients and physicians decide to taper the use of Cymbalta, the logistics of how to do so complicate the process. Cymbalta is only available in 20, 30 and 60mg delayed-release capsules.   These capsules cannot be cut like a tablet can in order to lessen the dosage.

Furthermore, the medication administration for Cymbalta states, “Cymbalta should be swallowed whole and should not be chewed or crushed, nor should the capsule be opened and its contents be sprinkled on food or mixed with liquids. All of these might affect the enteric coating.” Without the ability to split tablets or open capsules, there is no safe way to gradually reduce the dosage.

Cymbalta Lawsuits

Dozens of product liability lawsuits have been filed by Cymbalta users who claim they were not adequately warned about the risk and severity of withdrawal from Cymbalta. If you or a loved one discontinued use of this drug and suffered severe withdrawal symptoms, you may have a legal claim.