Aspect Results & Timeline — Talkspace

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an efficient antidepressant for despair, main depressive dysfunction, nervousness dysfunction, and persistent ache. Nevertheless, 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 may expertise some type of withdrawal or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. 

Figuring out the potential indicators of Cymbalta withdrawal and Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome and methods to deal with them is important in safely stopping this medicine. Hold studying to study extra.

Can You Go Off Cymbalta Chilly Turkey?

Stopping any medicine chilly turkey — together with Cymbalta remedy — will be harmful. It’s because your physique is used to having a certain quantity of the drug in its system. Abruptly 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 accomplished safely.

Withdrawal Signs of Cymbalta

A standard 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 that 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 medicine that works on serotonin and norepinephrine programs. Abruptly stopping the medicine may cause numerous undesirable signs.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

In some circumstances, you may expertise extra critical Cymbalta negative effects, together with hallucinations and suicidal ideas — though that is uncommon.

How Lengthy Does Cymbalta Withdrawal Final?

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

For those who’ve been on Cymbalta for longer than 6 months, the withdrawal results and every abrupt discontinuation symptom may very well be extra intense and take longer to decrease.

Cymbalta withdrawal timeline

There’s no set Cymbalta withdrawal timeline, however when discontinuing any antidepressant medicine, 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 length and severity will be totally different for everybody, signs sometimes start 1 – 3 days after you cease taking Cymbalta. 
• Publish-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a extra extended part that may last as long as 6 months or extra, relying on components like physique chemistry, authentic dosage, and size of time you had been on Cymbalta. 

PAWS signs can embrace emotions of unease and unhappiness, agitation, psychological confusion, problem 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 will 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.

The right way to Address a Cymbalta Withdrawal

Sadly, discontinuing Cymbalta will be difficult, particularly should you cease taking it abruptly. If you wish to stop taking Cymbalta, you may scale back the prospect of serious negative effects or withdrawal signs by getting the fitting plan in place. 

Speak to your physician to find out one of the best ways to discontinue Cymbalta. They are going to possible advocate truly fizzling out slowly over a number of weeks or months. Typically they’ll advocate utilizing over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to alleviate withdrawal discomfort.

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

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

How Do I Safely Come Off Cymbalta?

By no means cease taking your medicine with out consulting your physician first. Collectively, you may give you a protected, efficient plan to reduce 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 using Cymbalta is recommended. The timeline for this course of will depend on how lengthy you had been on Cymbalta and your dose, however present finest observe when weaning off an antidepressant suggests progressively decreasing use for no less than 4 weeks. This course of, often called “tapering down,” is designed to assist scale back the depth of withdrawal signs because the physique slowly adjusts to its pure steadiness. 
• Apply self care: One strategy 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, may also help you transition as you come off Cymbalta. 
• Seek the advice of along with your physician alongside the best way: Consulting a psychological well being skilled skilled in managing the consequences of medicines like Cymbalta might be useful. They’ll present invaluable perception into how finest to deal with potential challenges related to discontinuing the drug and give you methods for coping with any tough feelings which may come up throughout this course of.

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

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

Speak with a Licensed Psychiatrist

Going off Cymbalta will be arduous, however the steps mentioned right here may also help. Begin by talking along with your physician about truly fizzling out the medicine progressively. Be certain to prioritize self-care throughout this time by getting sleep, being bodily lively, consuming nutritious meals, and making an attempt calming methods like managed respiratory. Connecting with somebody sympathetic who understands what you’re going by means of will be very useful. Lastly, search skilled assist if obligatory.

Speaking to a licensed psychiatrist is among the finest methods to handle Cymbalta withdrawal. A professional psychological well being skilled may also help you perceive and address any signs that come up throughout the course of and supply help all through your complete expertise. 

When searching 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 seek out somebody. It’s also possible to seek the advice of your main care doctor for a advice. 

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