Facet Results & Timeline — Talkspace

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an efficient antidepressant for melancholy, main depressive dysfunction, nervousness dysfunction, and continual ache. Nonetheless, when it comes time to cease taking Cymbalta remedy — or any drug – antidepressant withdrawal signs could 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. 

Realizing the potential indicators of Cymbalta withdrawal and Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome and tips on how to deal with them is essential in safely stopping this remedy. Preserve studying to study extra.

Can You Go Off Cymbalta Chilly Turkey?

Stopping any remedy chilly turkey — together with Cymbalta remedy — may be harmful. It is because your physique is used to having a specific amount of the drug in its system. All of the sudden 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 may be carried out 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 embody: 

• 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 plenty of undesirable signs.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

In some circumstances, you possibly can 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 just a few days to a number of weeks. The length of withdrawal signs can differ relying on issues just like the size of time you have been on Cymbalta and particular person physiology. 

Should you’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 remedy, there may 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 may be totally different for everybody, signs usually start 1 – 3 days after you cease taking Cymbalta. 
• Submit-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a extra extended part that may last as long as 6 months or extra, relying on elements like physique chemistry, authentic dosage, and size of time you have been on Cymbalta. 

PAWS signs can embody 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 shall be distinctive, and there’s no outlined timetable for therapeutic.

Find out how to Deal with a Cymbalta Withdrawal

Sadly, discontinuing Cymbalta may be difficult, particularly should you cease taking it abruptly. If you wish to stop taking Cymbalta, you possibly can scale back the possibility of great negative effects or withdrawal signs by getting the proper plan in place. 

Speak to your physician to find out one of the best ways to discontinue Cymbalta. They’ll possible advocate petering 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 will possibly differ from feeling nauseous to irritable and having dangerous complications. Typically you’ll have tingling and pins and needles sensations, which may typically trigger tremors and impression 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.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

How Do I Safely Come Off Cymbalta?

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

• Use a taper schedule: Slowly decreasing the usage of Cymbalta is usually recommended. The timeline for this course of relies on how lengthy you have been on Cymbalta and your dose, however present greatest apply when weaning off an antidepressant suggests regularly decreasing use for a minimum of 4 weeks. This course of, generally known as “tapering down,” is designed to assist scale back the depth of withdrawal signs because the physique slowly adjusts to its pure steadiness. 
• Follow self care: One technique to handle Cymbalta withdrawal signs is by caring for your self. Practising self care, like consuming properly, getting sufficient sleep, and doing yoga or meditation, may also help you transition as you come off Cymbalta. 
• Seek the advice of together with your physician alongside the way in which: Consulting a psychological well being skilled skilled in managing the results of medicines like Cymbalta shall be helpful. They will present invaluable perception into how greatest to handle 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.

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

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir

Speak with a Licensed Psychiatrist

Going off Cymbalta may be laborious, however the steps mentioned right here may also help. Begin by talking together with your physician about petering out the remedy regularly. Make sure that to prioritize self-care throughout this time by getting sleep, being bodily lively, consuming nutritious meals, and making an attempt calming methods like managed respiration. Connecting with somebody sympathetic who understands what you’re going via may be very helpful. Lastly, search skilled assist if essential.

Speaking to a licensed psychiatrist is without doubt one of the greatest methods to handle Cymbalta withdrawal. A certified psychological well being skilled may also help you perceive and deal with any signs that come up in the course of the course of and supply assist all through all the expertise. 

When looking for 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 can even 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.