Withdrawal Signs of Cymbalta

Cymbalta is the brand name for the medication duloxetine hydrochloride, prescribed to treat major clinical depression. Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co., Cymbalta also is used to relieve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disorder which can cause pain and numbness in the feet and hands. Like certain other antidepressants, Cymbalta can cause withdrawal symptoms if people stop taking it abruptly.

Dizziness

• Based on clinical studies with Cymbalta, as detailed by eMedTV, the most common sign of withdrawal when people discontinued the medication suddenly was dizziness, occurring in up to 12 percent of participants.

Additional Signs

• Nausea, vomiting, headaches and sensations such as tingling or burning were signs of Cymbalta withdrawal in between 2 to 6 percent of study participants. Psychological symptoms also occurred, in the form of irritability and nightmares.

Severity

• In most people, Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms improve without treatment. If the symptoms are severe, the individual may need to start taking the drug again and gradually decrease--or titrate--the dosage. The prescribing physician should be part of this process.

Duration

• Signs of Cymbalta withdrawal can take a week to appear. Symptoms generally last from 3 days to 3 weeks.

Considerations

• Sometimes, withdrawal symptoms are signs of the original condition returning. The person should keep in contact with her physician and discuss the option of taking Cymbalta again.