Cymbalta: Side Effects, Withdrawal Symptoms & Lawsuit Information

Cymbalta (duloxetine) was developed by Eli Lilly & Company as a treatment for major depression. Released in August 2004, the medication was an immediate hit, with over 50% of U.S. pharmacies stocking and filling prescriptions within a week of its release.

Patient reports of significant adverse reactions have caused multiple Cymbalta label changes. These updates alerted users to the possibilities of suicidal ideation, withdrawal symptoms and other dangers. Some patients even filed lawsuits against Eli Lilly for failing to adequately warn about the drug’s risks.

Cymbalta is best known for treating major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It can also be used to treat conditions that cause pain, including fibromyalgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The medication is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It blocks the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain. These two chemicals help regulate your mood, and blocking their reabsorption may aid in reducing depression symptoms.

At the time of Cymbalta’s rollout, Eli Lilly claimed that only 25% to 35% of patients treated for depression in clinical studies experienced relief from all of their symptoms. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly 19 million Americans suffered from depression.

A few common side effects of Cymbalta are constipation, dry mouth, nausea and sleepiness. Most of these issues should improve after you’ve taken the medication for a couple of weeks.

These side effects may be more likely if you take drugs with overlapping risks. Before starting Cymbalta, talk to your doctor about any medications you are currently on to minimize your risk of side effects.

Cymbalta can have serious side effects, including allergic reactions, liver injury, serotonin syndrome and more. Fortunately, most of these risks are rare and reversible.

If you experience any of these severe side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Do not stop taking Cymbalta without consulting your physician first.

Cymbalta and Suicidal Ideation

Cymbalta may cause suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents and adults under the age of 24. However, this side effect is not unique to Cymbalta.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers to include a black box warning about this side effect on the label of all SSRI and SNRI medications, including Cymbalta. This is the agency’s most severe warning.

If you experience suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor or a crisis line immediately. You can reach the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Textline by texting “HELLO” to 741741.

Cymbalta Withdrawal and Discontinuation Syndrome

You may develop withdrawal or discontinuation syndrome if you stop taking Cymbalta. A few of the most common symptoms include dizziness, headaches and nausea.

Some people experience more extreme and longer-lasting symptoms. More severe symptoms can include rapid or excessive changes in mood, seizures and sensory disturbances.

A qualitative analysis published in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology stated, “It is now suspected that antidepressant withdrawal syndrome is more common and severe than earlier presumed, affecting roughly 30%-50% of those who attempt to stop their treatment.”

The analysis also reported that some people experience debilitating withdrawal symptoms, pointing to the link between withdrawal and suicide.

If you want to stop taking Cymbalta, contact your doctor. They can determine a safe tapering timeline based on your needs and medical history.

Long-Term and Other Serious Risks of Cymbalta

Cymbalta can cause long-term and other serious issues, including heart problems, pregnancy risks, stunted growth in children and more. Some risks can increase based on age.

Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about the potential risks associated with Cymbalta.

Discontinuation syndrome is a common issue for people who want to stop taking Cymbalta. In fact, the drug is considered one of the hardest antidepressants to discontinue. Thousands of online testimonials describe severe struggles, including the widely searched phrase, “Cymbalta ruined my life.”

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders evaluated discontinuation symptoms in patients who abruptly stopped taking duloxetine. Roughly 44% of duloxetine patients experienced discontinuation symptoms, compared to almost 23% of placebo patients.

Cymbalta’s label comes up short in terms of providing tapering guidance. Current guidance simply states “medication should be tapered, as rapidly as is feasible, but with recognition that discontinuation can be associated with certain symptoms.”

In 2023, Melanie Filocco, a J.D. Candidate at Seton Hall University School of Law, commented on the lack of guidance, writing, “Because there are no clear tapering guidelines on the label, many individuals prescribed Cymbalta must choose between enduring endless, painful withdrawal symptoms, or taking the drug indefinitely—as evidenced by posts in the online community.”

The FDA has issued several warnings and label changes for Cymbalta. These include a black box warning along with other advisories and label updates concerning severe health risks.

Eli Lilly has a history of drug safety lawsuits, and the Cymbalta lawsuits are among them.

The lawsuits concerning Cymbalta allege that the drugmaker failed to adequately warn about withdrawal risks, including severe withdrawal. Plaintiffs also claim that Eli Lilly’s labeling and marketing practices were inadequate.

Attempts at creating a multidistrict litigation (MDL) for the Cymbalta litigation in 2014 and 2015 were unsuccessful. MDLs help streamline the legal process by consolidating similar cases before one judge. Attempts at class action lawsuits were also unsuccessful.

In 2013, Eli Lilly settled a lawsuit concerning a 16-year-old who committed suicide after taking Cymbalta. Details of the settlement were kept confidential. While other cases have been filed, they have either been dismissed or settled without details being publicized.

Cymbalta lawsuits cite scientific evidence of the medication’s risks. For example, a 2016 study in BMJ found that the risk of suicidality and aggression doubled in children and adolescents taking antidepressants, including SNRIs. The FDA requiring all antidepressants to include a black box warning concerning suicidality in children and adolescents on their labels validates this finding.

Withdrawal is also discussed in lawsuits. When SNRIs block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, the levels of these chemicals increase in your body. As you adjust to the increase in these chemicals, dependency on antidepressants can occur. Suddenly stopping the medication can cause your body’s serotonin and norepinephrine to drop, resulting in withdrawal symptoms.

Since Cymbalta’s release in 2004, data increasingly showed that the drug triggered serious health risks for users. In 2005, an Eli Lilly-funded study admitted that 44% of Cymbalta users experienced withdrawal symptoms, though the company described them as “mild or moderate.”

An independent research published in Addictive Behaviors supported Eli Lilly’s research, finding that half of patients attempting to quit Cymbalta experienced withdrawal symptoms. However, the data in this study showed that 46% of people described their symptoms as severe.

While some patients describe Cymbalta as life-saving, others report years of struggling with side effects. Many patients have shared stories of difficult withdrawal from Cymbalta. Reports often include references to severe mood instability, panic attacks and electric-shock sensations lasting weeks or months.

Cymbalta lawsuits note that users face “severe physiological and psychological symptoms when they attempt to stop” taking the drug. These include dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea and more.

“Cymbalta’s legal landscape makes sense from my experience with informed consent,” said Dr. Thomas Jeneby, a San Antonio, Texas-based plastic surgeon. “Patients deserve full disclosure about long-term dependency risks. “

Jeneby said he’s seen many people who thought they were on a “temporary” solution struggling to discontinue the drug years later. “One patient seeking a mommy makeover had been trying to stop Cymbalta for two years because she wanted to get pregnant again but couldn’t handle the withdrawal symptoms,” he noted.

Cymbalta has proven effective for many patients with depression, anxiety and pain disorders. However, it’s important to be aware of its risks, particularly withdrawal and suicidal ideation.

FDA warnings, patient lawsuits and clinical evidence highlight ongoing concerns that Eli Lilly failed to provide adequate guidance about the use of Cymbalta.

If you experienced complications from taking Cymbalta, talking with an attorney can help you determine if you might be eligible to file a lawsuit. Drugwatch can connect you to a lawyer for a no-cost evaluation of your case.