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

Figuring out the potential indicators of Cymbalta withdrawal and Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome and how you can deal with them is important in safely stopping this remedy. Preserve studying to be taught extra.

Can You Go Off Cymbalta Chilly Turkey?

Stopping any remedy chilly turkey — together with Cymbalta therapy — will be harmful. It is because your physique is used to having a specific amount of the drug in its system. Out of the blue eradicating it might trigger extreme withdrawal signs, antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, or different well being points. 

Earlier than abruptly discontinuing Cymbalta, seek the advice of your physician to make sure the method will be completed safely.

Withdrawal Signs of Cymbalta

A typical withdrawal symptom of Cymbalta is the so-called “mind zap”, nausea or vomiting. The sudden lack of duloxetine in your system can result in a digestive system response. Different signs which will happen embrace: 

  • Vertigo
  • Mind zaps
  • Dry mouth
  • Migraine
  • Lethargy
  • Sleeplessness 
  • Decreased urge for food
  • Restlessness
  • Low blood stress
  • Emotional volatility or annoyance
  • Looseness of the bowels 
  • Constipation
  • Chilly- or flu-like signs, like shivering or perspiring 

“Cymbalta is a twin receptor remedy that works on serotonin and norepinephrine techniques. Abruptly stopping the remedy may cause a whole lot of undesirable signs.”

In some circumstances, you possibly can expertise extra critical , together with hallucinations and suicidal ideas — though that is uncommon.

Psychiatry and Prescriptions On-line

Obtain an analysis and prescription for psychological well being remedy (if wanted) from a psychiatry-trained medical supplier.

How Lengthy Does Cymbalta Withdrawal Final?

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

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

Cymbalta withdrawal timeline

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

  • Acute withdrawal has bodily signs like mind zap, nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and insomnia. Whereas period and severity will be totally different for everybody, signs usually start 1 – 3 days after you cease taking Cymbalta. 
  • Publish-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, authentic dosage, and size of time you have been on Cymbalta. 

PAWS signs can embrace emotions of unease and unhappiness, agitation, psychological confusion, issue with cognitive duties, and sleep disruption.

When does Cymbalta withdrawal peak? 

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

Learn how to Deal with a Cymbalta Withdrawal

Sadly, discontinuing Cymbalta will be difficult, particularly when you cease taking it abruptly. If you wish to stop taking Cymbalta, you possibly can scale back the possibility of serious unwanted side effects or withdrawal signs by getting the precise plan in place. 

Discuss to your physician to find out one of the simplest ways to discontinue Cymbalta. They’ll possible advocate really fizzling out slowly over a number of weeks or months. Generally they’ll advocate utilizing over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to alleviate withdrawal discomfort.

“It might fluctuate from feeling nauseous to irritable and having dangerous complications. Generally you’ll have tingling and pins and needles sensations, which might generally trigger tremors and influence sleep cycles. Some folks report having nightmares. There are additionally reviews of elevated sweating. Some sufferers describe having mind zaps or electrical sensation of their head.”

How Do I Safely Come Off Cymbalta?

By no means cease taking your remedy with out consulting your physician first. Collectively, you possibly can give you a protected, efficient plan to attenuate the danger of withdrawal signs and are available off Cymbalta with as little disruption to your life as potential. 

  • Use a taper schedule: Slowly decreasing the usage of Cymbalta is recommended. The timeline for this course of is dependent upon how lengthy you have been on Cymbalta and your dose, however when weaning off an antidepressant suggests step by step decreasing use for at the least 4 weeks. This course of, often known as “tapering down,” is designed to assist scale back the depth of withdrawal signs because the physique slowly adjusts to its pure stability. 
  • Follow self care: One solution to handle Cymbalta withdrawal signs is by caring for your self. Training self care, like consuming effectively, getting sufficient sleep, and doing yoga or meditation, will help you transition as you come off Cymbalta. 
  • Seek the advice of together with your physician alongside the best way: Consulting a psychological well being skilled skilled in managing the results of medicines like Cymbalta might be useful. They will present invaluable perception into how greatest to deal with 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.

“Be sure that to speak to your psychiatrist earlier than coming off of Cymbalta.”

Discuss with a Licensed Psychiatrist

Going off Cymbalta will be onerous, however the steps mentioned right here will help. Begin by talking together with your physician about really fizzling out the remedy step by step. Be sure that to prioritize throughout this time by getting sleep, being bodily energetic, consuming nutritious meals, and trying calming methods like managed respiration. Connecting with somebody sympathetic who understands what you’re going by way of will be very useful. Lastly, search skilled assist if essential.

Speaking to a licensed psychiatrist is among the greatest methods to handle Cymbalta withdrawal. A certified psychological well being skilled will help you perceive and deal with any signs that come up in the course of the course of and supply assist all through your entire expertise. 

When in search of a psychiatrist, it’s important to search for somebody with expertise treating folks with antidepressant withdrawal. Ask for referrals from folks you belief, like family and friends, to search out somebody. You may as well seek the advice of your major care doctor for a advice. 

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

Sources:

  1. Perahia DG, Kajdasz DK, Desaiah D, Haddad PM. Signs following abrupt discontinuation of duloxetine therapy in sufferers with main depressive dysfunction. Journal of Affective Problems. 2005;89(1-3):207-212. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2005.09.003. . Accessed March 9, 2023.
  2. Switching and stopping antidepressants. Australian Prescriber. 2016;39(3). doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.039. . Accessed March 9, 2023.  

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