Across the country, dozens of patients are accusing Eli Lilly of concealing vital information regarding their drug Cymbalta. These patients claim that soon after they stopped using the drug, they started experiencing severe and painful withdrawal symptoms.

Personal injury lawyers continue to get potential cases from former Cymbalta patients who are claiming that the pharmaceutical company deliberately misrepresented the severity of Cymbalta side effects, and had omitted certain side effects they suffered. Some of the most commonly-mentioned side effects of Cymbalta withdrawal include nausea, vomiting, vertigo, excessive sweating, insomnia, nightmares, diarrhea, and ‘brain zaps.’

Brain zaps are electric shock-like sensations that patients experience in their brain and body, which have allegedly occurred after using Cymbalta. In 2014, dozens of lawsuits were filed in federal courts across the country, in Maryland, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and Pennsylvania. However, these lawsuits are only a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands of Cymbalta patients who suffered withdrawal symptoms.

Some of the law firms representing these Cymbalta patients have been investigating Eli Lilly since 2012 for Cymbalta’s warning label. As far back as three years ago, this company had been facing allegations of concealing information regarding Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms. For example, Eli Lilly stated that suffering withdrawal symptoms after using Cymbalta were “greater than or equal to 1 percent,” when the actual statistic was at least 44 to 78 percent.

Due to the negligent marketing charges the company is facing, as well as the continuous injury complaints that are submitted, legal experts are expecting this litigation movement to continue to grow. With Eli Lilly being accused of deliberately concealing information of their drug’s withdrawal symptoms, it remains to be seen how the company will handle the oncoming scrutiny.

Overview of Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms

Cymbalta is a selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SNRI), which is typically used to treat anxiety, fibromyalgia, and pain associated with diabetes and chronic muscle or bone problems. Approved by the FDA in 2004 and manufactured by Eli Lilly, it is most often prescribed to patients who suffer anxiety and depression, but may also be prescribed to treat nerve pains for certain conditions. Like other SNRIs, Cymbalta works to restore the balance of serotonin and norepinephrine, which would ideally result in healthy emotional balance and mental stability.

Unfortunately, former Cymbalta patients have reported severe withdrawal symptoms after ceasing the drug. Reportedly, these symptoms were often so devastating that the patients were forced to continue their Cymbalta prescription, just to ease the pain of the side effects. Potentially, this cycle could leave thousands essentially dependent on Cymbalta. This, and other alleged fraudulent marketing actions, has caused Eli Lilly to become the center of scrutiny for numerous product liability lawyers and has earned the public’s suspicion. However, it is important to note that this recent investigation is not the first time Cymbalta has been in the negative limelight.

In 2007, the FDA penalized Eli Lilly for illegally marketing Cymbalta through direct mail; the marketing pieces had overstated the efficiency of Cymbalta and contained statements that were not supported by scientific fact. Additionally, the FDA faulted the company for not having any relevant information on Cymbalta’s withdrawal symptoms. In 2009, the company was penalized again for similar violations, and for failing to disclose the true risks of the drug’s side effects.

With Eli Lilly’s history of deceptive, as well as illegal marketing practices, specialized lawyers expect to have additional evidence reveal itself as the litigation process continues.