Side Effects & Timeline — Talkspace

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an efficient antidepressant for despair, main depressive dysfunction, nervousness dysfunction, and continual ache. However, when it comes time to cease taking Cymbalta remedy — or any drug – antidepressant withdrawal signs might happen. Some analysis means that an estimated 44% of people that discontinue antidepressants like Cymbalta would possibly expertise some type of withdrawal or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. 

Knowing the potential indicators of Cymbalta withdrawal and Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome and deal with them is vital in safely stopping this treatment. Keep studying to be taught extra.

Can You Go Off Cymbalta Cold Turkey?

Stopping any treatment chilly turkey — together with Cymbalta remedy — might be harmful. This is as a result of your physique is used to having a certain quantity of the drug in its system. Suddenly eradicating it might trigger extreme withdrawal signs, antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, or different well being points. 

Before abruptly discontinuing Cymbalta, seek the advice of your physician to make sure the method might be completed safely.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Cymbalta

A standard withdrawal symptom of Cymbalta is the so-called “brain zap”, nausea or vomiting. The sudden lack of duloxetine in your system can result in a digestive system response. Other signs that will happen embody: 

• Vertigo
• Brain zaps
• Dry mouth
• Migraine
• Lethargy
• Sleeplessness 
• Reduced urge for food
• Restlessness
• Low blood strain
• Emotional volatility or annoyance
• Looseness of the bowels 
• Constipation
• Cold- or flu-like signs, like shivering or perspiring 

“Cymbalta is a dual receptor medication that works on serotonin and norepinephrine systems. Abruptly stopping the medication can cause a lot of unwanted symptoms.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

In some instances, you possibly can expertise extra severe Cymbalta unintended effects, together with hallucinations and suicidal ideas — though that is uncommon.

How Long Does Cymbalta Withdrawal Last?

Cymbalta withdrawal signs can vary from a number of days to a number of weeks. The length of withdrawal signs can range relying on issues just like the size of time you have been on Cymbalta and particular person physiology. 

If you’ve been on Cymbalta for longer than 6 months, the withdrawal results and every abrupt discontinuation symptom might be extra intense and take longer to decrease.

Cymbalta withdrawal timeline

There’s no set Cymbalta withdrawal timeline, however when discontinuing any antidepressant treatment, there might be 2 phases: acute withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Most usually, withdrawal signs will resolve in about 1 – 3 weeks.

• Acute withdrawal has bodily signs like mind zap, nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and insomnia. While length and severity might be totally different for everybody, signs usually start 1 – 3 days after you cease taking Cymbalta. 
• Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a extra extended section that may last as long as 6 months or extra, relying on components like physique chemistry, unique dosage, and size of time you have been on Cymbalta. 

PAWS signs can embody emotions of unease and disappointment, agitation, psychological confusion, problem with cognitive duties, and sleep disruption.

When does Cymbalta withdrawal peak? 

Cymbalta withdrawal can peak at varied instances, however most individuals expertise the worst signs inside 1 – 2 weeks after cessation. After that, signs will most frequently finally cut back or resolve, however they’ll final for a number of weeks and even months in some instances. Notably, everybody’s withdrawal expertise might be distinctive, and there’s no outlined timetable for therapeutic.

How to Cope with a Cymbalta Withdrawal

Unfortunately, discontinuing Cymbalta might be difficult, particularly for those who cease taking it abruptly. If you need to give up taking Cymbalta, you possibly can cut back the possibility of great unintended effects or withdrawal signs by getting the fitting plan in place. 

Talk to your physician to find out one of the best ways to discontinue Cymbalta. They will probably suggest truly fizzling out slowly over a number of weeks or months. Sometimes they’ll suggest utilizing over-the-counter drugs, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to alleviate withdrawal discomfort.

“It can vary from feeling nauseous to irritable and having bad headaches. Sometimes you’ll have tingling and pins and needles sensations, which can sometimes cause tremors and impact sleep cycles. Some people report having nightmares. There are also reports of increased sweating. Some patients describe having brain zaps or electric sensation in their head.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

How Do I Safely Come Off Cymbalta?

Never cease taking your treatment with out consulting your physician first. Together, you possibly can provide you with a protected, efficient plan to reduce the chance of withdrawal signs and are available off Cymbalta with as little disruption to your life as potential. 

• Use a taper schedule: Slowly decreasing using Cymbalta is recommended. The timeline for this course of relies on how lengthy you have been on Cymbalta and your dose, however present finest observe when weaning off an antidepressant suggests steadily decreasing use for no less than 4 weeks. This course of, generally known as “tapering down,” is designed to assist cut back the depth of withdrawal signs because the physique slowly adjusts to its pure steadiness. 
• Practice self care: One solution to handle Cymbalta withdrawal signs is by caring for your self. Practicing self care, like consuming nicely, getting sufficient sleep, and doing yoga or meditation, will help you transition as you come off Cymbalta. 
• Consult along with your physician alongside the way in which: Consulting a psychological well being skilled skilled in managing the consequences of medicines like Cymbalta might be useful. They can present invaluable perception into how finest to handle potential challenges related to discontinuing the drug and give you methods for coping with any troublesome feelings that may come up throughout this course of.

“Make sure to talk to your psychiatrist before coming off of Cymbalta.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

Talk with a Licensed Psychiatrist

Going off Cymbalta might be exhausting, however the steps mentioned right here will help. Start by talking along with your physician about truly fizzling out the treatment steadily. Make positive to prioritize self-care throughout this time by getting sleep, being bodily energetic, consuming nutritious meals, and trying calming methods like managed respiratory. Connecting with somebody sympathetic who understands what you’re going by way of might be very useful. Finally, search skilled assist if vital.

Talking to a licensed psychiatrist is among the finest methods to handle Cymbalta withdrawal. A professional psychological well being skilled will help you perceive and deal with any signs that come up throughout the course of and supply assist all through the complete expertise. 

When looking for a psychiatrist, it’s important to search for somebody with expertise treating individuals with antidepressant withdrawal. Ask for referrals from individuals you belief, like family and friends, to search out somebody. You also can seek the advice of your main care doctor for a advice. 

At Talkspace, you possibly can join with an on-line psychiatrist to both get Cymbalta on-line with a prescription or discuss to them about getting off of Cymbalta safely.