Patients who stop taking Cymbalta may face an increased risk of severe withdrawal side effects.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an antidepressant created by Eli Lilly to treat a variety of conditions such as depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic muscle and bone pain. The drug has produced almost $24 billion in total sales.

What is Cymbalta?

Cymbalta is a member of a class of drugs known as SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Cymbalta was released in 2004 by Eli Lilly. Its active ingredient is duloxetine and it may be sold under other brand names, including Yentreve, Ariclaim, Xeristar, and Duzela.

Cymbalta Withdrawal Side Effects

Unfortunately, Cymbalta has a less-known effect: serious withdrawal symptoms when a patient stops taking the drug. Withdrawal symptoms include nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

One of the most unpleasant withdrawal symptoms associated with Cymbalta is called a “brain zap.” A brain zap feels like a shock to a person’s brain and is frequently associated with severe headaches, nausea, and disorientation that can affect the ability to perform ordinary tasks. Cymbalta withdrawal is also associated with nightmares and weight changes.

A study published by the Journal of Affective Disorders linked serious withdrawal side effects to the abrupt discontinuation of Cymbalta in almost half of patients taking the drug. Common symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal may include:

• Seizures
• Tingling skin sensations (paresthesia)
• Electric shock sensations (brain zaps)
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Nightmares

Cymbalta withdrawal side effects can last for days or weeks and may even contribute to dependence among patients who want to stop taking the drug.

Cymbalta Lawsuits

Many patients who have tried to stop taking Cymbalta and were discouraged by the severe withdrawal effects continued to take Cymbalta, becoming dependent on the drug.

As a result, many plaintiffs have filed Cymbalta lawsuits against Eli Lilly for failing to disclose the severity and frequency of Cymbalta withdrawal side effects. Eli Lilly has reported that just 1 percent of patients experience withdrawal side effects when stopping Cymbalta use but other studies show an incidence as high as 45 percent.

The Cymbalta lawsuits claim that Eli Lilly knew of the risk and failed to adequately warn doctors and patients. They also claim that Eli Lilly benefitted from Cymbalta withdrawal side effects because people decided to continue to buy and use Cymbalta when the withdrawal symptoms became unbearable.

Finally, they claim that Eli Lilly advertised uses and benefits of Cymbalta that were unproven, deceiving the public about the nature of the drug.

In 2010, the FDA issued a warning letter to the makers of Cymbalta, stating that Cymbalta advertising “overstates the efficacy of Cymbalta and minimizes the risks associated with the drug.” The letter ordered Eli Lilly to amend its advertising scheme to more accurately state the risks associated with the use and discontinuation of use of Cymbalta.