The manufacturer of the antidepressant Cymbalta is under scrutiny and is facing repeated lawsuits claiming the company did little to warn of withdrawal side effect risks.

Since its release on the U.S. market, Cymbalta has quickly become one of the most commonly prescribed treatments of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and nerve pain conditions including fibromyalgia. However, up to 78 percent of consumers have reported experiencing Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms when they try to discontinue using the medication.

Numerous Cymbalta lawsuits claim maker Eli Lilly misled patients into believing the withdrawal side effects were uncommon. Some plaintiffs allege the manufacturer intentionally hid the withdrawal side effects from consumers and the medical community by omitting it from the warning label.

Commonly reported Cymbalta withdrawal side effects include:

• Brain zaps (electric-like shock sensations in the brain)
• Dizziness
• Nightmares
• Mood swings
• Tremors
• Paresthesia (sensation of tingling, tickling, prickling, pricking, or burning of a person’s skin)
• Hot and cold flashes
• Severe nausea
• Vomiting

Cymbalta consumers claim that the withdrawal symptoms sometimes take weeks, and even months, to end after they’ve stopped taking the medication.

Cymbalta Overview

Eli Lilly designed the medication to work by increasing levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine which help regulate mood. The makers also claim the drug can be used for certain types of nerve and musculoskeletal pain as the medication can stop pain signals from traveling through the brain.

In 2004, the FDA approved Cymbalta to treat depression, general anxiety and nerve pain. According to Eli Lilly, withdrawal side effects only occur in about one percent of patients, and only among those that stop taking the drug abruptly. Between 2004 and 2011, Eli Lilly became the antidepressant leader with $18 billion in sales.

FDA Investigates Cymbalta Withdrawal

After reports from patients experiencing Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms, the FDA set up an advisory committee to review the claims. In 2009, the FDA committee found that Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome is more common that the manufacturer admits.

The advisory committee also reported that Eli Lilly has yet to develop a proven method of how to safely discontinue use of the medication.

Eli Lilly recommends Cymbalta consumers taper off slowly but does not offer a lower dose so consumers have found it difficult to discontinue using the drug. Some report they are forced to open up Cymbalta capsules and count the beads to create a smaller dose, others feel forced to just stop taking Cymbalta all at once.

Cymbalta Withdrawal Lawsuits

Plaintiffs who have filed a Cymbalta withdrawal lawsuit either as an individual or by joining a Cymbalta class action lawsuit claim Eli Lilly did not adequately warn consumers of the high risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Many consumers allege they even experienced Cymbalta symptoms while currently on the medication since the drug’s half-life is less than a day.

In general, plaintiffs claim Cymbalta’s manufacturer knew of the risks but omitted the information from warning labels as a way to boost sales. Those who have filed Cymbalta withdrawal lawsuits seek financial compensation for the pain and suffering they endured.