Author: James Anderson

Cymbalta Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment

When patients reach the point that they are considering stopping duloxetine, they should speak to their doctor about their desire. And should stopping be the best course of action, they can help the patient quit taking the medication safely. If you gave Cymbalta a good try, but you still don’t feel like yourself, don’t give up. There are other medications, doses, and combinations of medications that you can try. If you don’t think you need medication anymore, that’s great, but don’t neglect your mental health. Although quitting Cymbalta cold turkey is rarely dangerous, it is best to consult your doctor before attempting to do so.

Typically, this means continuing with a therapeutic dose of antidepressants to reduce the risk of relapse. The nature of that treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including the state of your mental health and your reasons for stopping the medication. The majority of participants in the duloxetine (Cymbalta) studies categorized their symptoms as either mild or moderate. Among those experiencing withdrawal symptoms, about 65% said their symptoms went away in about one week.

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If your doctor did warn you, they might have used the term “antidepressant discontinuation syndrome,” which can be a bit misleading. Standard outpatient programs are suited to individuals who have just completed an inpatient program and want to continue some form of therapy. Standard outpatient programs are also ideal for people who may be juggling other responsibilities, such as work or school.

1. While Cymbalta often provides relief for patients, it is known to be a difficult anti-depressant to withdraw from.
2. Depending on your situation, your doctor may prescribe other anti-depressants as part of the tapering process.
3. Rehab facilities that offer dual diagnosis are often staffed with psychiatrists or clinical therapists that can diagnose and/or treat co-occurring mental health conditions.
4. Whether you’re planning to stop Cymbalta or are already weaning yourself off of it, there are steps you can take to minimize these symptoms.
5. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare.
6. Do not stop taking the medication on your own without your provider’s guidance.

One of the main withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta is worsened depression, and this can become severe. Successfully withdrawing from Cymbalta involves multiple stages of rehab that target the physical, psychological, and emotional causes of use. This requires an individual to stop taking Cymbalta, and this is best done through medically supervised detox. In this article, we’ll discuss more about Cymbalta withdrawal, including some of the common side effects and tips on how to manage during the withdrawal process. If you experience any thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, go to the nearest healthcare facility for immediate medical care.

Individuals typically report to a treatment center or clinic 1 or 2 days per week. These programs can include counseling, group therapy, 12-Step groups, skills development, goal setting, and relapse prevention training. Intensive outpatient programs are less involved than partial hospitalization programs and typically take place at a treatment center or outpatient clinic.

Urgent Care

Clients receiving intensive outpatient treatment will usually visit the center 2 to 5 days per week for 2 to 4 hours per day. IOP is well suited to clients who have just completed inpatient rehab and who wish to receive intense treatment while living off site. If withdrawal symptoms last longer than a month, this is referred to as “post-acute withdrawal syndrome” (PAWS). The PAWS period differs depending on the drug, but for anti-depressants like Cymbalta, the effects can even last for several months. While many people report that withdrawal is mild, there have been other reports of severe symptoms like mood swings, debilitating “brain zaps,” and physical and neurological problems. Individuals who abuse Cymbalta or other antidepressants may have been consuming the drug for a long time, or for longer than intended.

Symptoms typically appear within two to four days of stopping your dose and last for a few weeks. While tapering—slowly decreasing—your dose is a common treatment strategy, some research suggests that even with this strategy, you still may experience some withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms of Duloxetine can include severe deterioration of a person’s mental state, relapse of depression or anxiety, panic attacks, and an increased risk of suicide. The adverse effects might occur due to discontinuation syndrome or during detox for those who are addicted to the drug. Although these symptoms are typically mild, they can be alarming when they come as a surprise. Most people are not warned about the potential for withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking antidepressants.

The period when patients get off duloxetine is also characterized by an increased risk of suicide. Long-term inpatient treatment programs vary in length, but typically range from between 3 to 18 months. This type of rehab is best suited to individuals with long-term chronic addictions, especially those who have co-occurring mental health issues. Long-term treatment also provides an opportunity for the individual to physically withdraw from Cymbalta while they focus on their mental and emotional rehabilitation.

A qualified therapist can help bolster the effects of antidepressants and help prevent a relapse. While Cymbalta often provides relief for patients, it is known to be a difficult anti-depressant to withdraw from. This is due to the physical symptoms and psychological challenges that arise if the drug is discontinued.

However, this informative content is intended for educational purposes only. It is by no means a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With regard to any addiction-related health concerns, you should always seek the guidance of a qualified, registered physician who is licensed to practice medicine in your particular jurisdiction. You should never avoid or delay seeking professional health care advice or services based on information obtained from our website. Cymbalta is an anti-depressant medication that is used to treat chronic pain, mood disorders, and anxiety. A large review of 6 studies evaluated withdrawal symptoms with duloxetine (Cymbalta) doses ranging from 40 to 120 mg per day for 8 to 9 weeks.

Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. Whether someone wants to stop Cymbalta because they are abusing it or has another reason for quitting, they must do it carefully.

Drug information

But it is important that you keep in touch with your psychiatrist or therapist to be sure that stopping the medication doesn’t cause a reemergence of your depression. There is one report of a withdrawal seizure and one report of withdrawal symptoms coming and going over a period of ten months. You can also find a list of treatment centers near you on our website to help get you on the path to recovery. Recovering from Cymbalta abuse can be challenging, but there are ways to make this process easier. Along with treatment, lifestyle adjustments and self-care can ease the symptoms while transitioning to a new life.

Standard Outpatient Programs

If you’re tapering off of Cymbalta, your symptoms of depression, anxiety, or chronic pain may resurface. Finding the right antidepressant medication and dosage can take some trial and error with your healthcare provider. Working with your provider when switching or stopping medication is the best way to avoid symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal and ensure that you’re stopping the medication as safely as possible. In studies, most withdrawal side effects (65%) resolved within 7 days of stopping treatment. Nearly all patients rated these side effects as mild-to-moderate in severity. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare.

In this article, I’ll talk more about Cymbalta withdrawal, its side effects, and tapering off the medication to avoid these effects. Like other SNRIs, Cymbalta works by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain to improve mood, decrease anxiety, and reduce pain perception. Cymbalta can help to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.

If Cymbalta does not work to relieve your symptoms, there may be another medication that can help. Even when taken as directed by your provider, Cymbalta may not work for you. In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses how to safely stop taking Cymbalta (duloxetine). Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Whether you’re planning to stop Cymbalta or are already weaning yourself off of it, there are steps you can take to minimize these symptoms.