Cymbalta Withdrawal: Side Effects & Symptoms

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Aanchal Rao
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Cymbalta Withdrawal: Side Effects & Symptoms- DATOS

Cymbalta, which is also called duloxetine, is a medicine that helps people feel better when they’re sad or anxious. It can also help with long-lasting pain. But when it’s time to stop taking Cymbalta or similar medicines, some folks might feel a bit strange.

Imagine if around half of the people who stop taking these medicines feel a little weird afterward. It’s like when you’re used to having your favorite candy, and then you stop eating it – you might miss it and not feel the same.

It’s important to know the signs of feeling different when you stop taking Cymbalta and what to do about it. So, keep reading to find out more about it.

Is It Safe to Stop Taking Cymbalta All at Once?

It’s not safe to just stop taking Cymbalta or any medicine suddenly. Your body gets used to having that medicine, and if you stop it all at once, it can be harmful. It might make you feel really sick, cause strange things to happen in your brain, or even other health problems.

Before you decide to stop taking Cymbalta all at once, talk to your doctor. They can help you do it safely.

What Happens When You Stop Cymbalta?

When you stop taking Cymbalta, your body might react in some not-so-fun ways. You might feel something called “brain zap,” which is like a strange feeling in your head. You could also feel like you want to throw up.

Other things that might happen include:

  • Feeling dizzy, like the world is spinning.
  • Trouble sleeping, so you’re up all night.
  • Your mouth might get really dry.
  • You could get headaches that hurt a lot.
  • Feeling really tired and not having much energy.
  • Not being hungry and not wanting to eat.
  • Feeling restless or annoyed easily.
  • Your blood pressure might get lower.
  • Your tummy might get upset, leading to diarrhea or constipation.
  • You might feel like you’re catching a cold, with shivers and sweating.

If you ever want to stop taking Cymbalta, make sure to talk to your doctor first. They can help you do it in a way that keeps you feeling good and safe.

How Long Does Cymbalta Withdrawal Last

Sometimes, when you take Cymbalta, there can be some really serious side effects, but don’t worry, they’re pretty rare. These could include things like seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations) or having thoughts about hurting yourself (suicidal thoughts).

Cymbalta withdrawal timeline

Now, let’s talk about how long it takes for your body to get back to normal after you stop taking Cymbalta. It’s different for everyone, but it usually falls into two phases:

The first phase is called “acute withdrawal.” This is when your body might feel kinda strange, like having brain zaps (weird feelings in your head), feeling like you want to throw up, getting dizzy, headaches, being super tired, and having trouble sleeping. These symptoms usually start 1 to 3 days after you stop taking Cymbalta and can last about 1 to 3 weeks.

The second phase is “post-acute withdrawal syndrome” (PAWS), and this one can last longer, like up to 6 months or more. It depends on your body, how much Cymbalta you took, and how long you took it. During PAWS, you might feel uneasy or sad, get easily upset, have trouble thinking clearly, and have problems sleeping.

But remember, if you ever want to stop taking Cymbalta, it’s super important to talk to your doctor. They can help you do it safely and feel better.

When does Cymbalta withdrawal peak:

So, when do people feel the worst when they stop taking Cymbalta? Well, it’s different for everyone, but for most people, it’s usually the toughest in the first 1 to 2 weeks after they stop. After that, things often start getting better, but sometimes it can take a few weeks or even months for everything to go back to normal.

But remember, everybody’s experience is different, so there’s no exact schedule for feeling better. Just know that it might be tough at first, but things should improve with time.

How to deal with a Cymbalta Withdrawal

Dealing with Cymbalta withdrawal can be tough, especially if you suddenly stop taking it. But there are ways to make it easier on yourself. Here’s what you can do:

Talk to your doctor: If you want to stop taking Cymbalta, don’t do it on your own. Chat with your doctor, and they’ll help you make a plan. They might suggest gradually taking less of the medicine over a few weeks or months.

Medicines that can help: Your doctor might also recommend some over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to make you feel better while you’re going through the withdrawal.

Remember, it’s important to have a plan and your doctor can guide you through it to make things as smooth as possible.

How to Stop Taking Cymbalta Safely

If you ever want to stop taking Cymbalta, the first thing to do is talk to your doctor. Don’t just stop it by yourself. Together with your doctor, you can make a safe plan to make sure you feel okay and things go smoothly.

Here’s what you can do:

Tapering down: Instead of quitting all at once, your doctor might suggest taking less of the medicine slowly. This could take about 4 weeks or more, depending on how long you’ve been taking Cymbalta and how much you’re taking. It’s like easing your body into getting used to not having the medicine.

Take care of yourself: While you’re making this change, it’s super important to take good care of yourself. Eat healthy food, get enough sleep, and try relaxing things like yoga or meditation. These can help you feel better as you stop taking Cymbalta.

Stay in touch with your doctor: Your doctor knows best, so keep talking to them along the way. They can help you handle any tough feelings or problems that might come up when you’re getting off Cymbalta. They’re like your guide to feeling better.

So, remember, if you ever want to stop taking Cymbalta, do it with your doctor’s help. They’ll make sure you’re safe and feeling good.

Important Things to Know About Cymbalta

Cymbalta is a medicine that can help some people feel better, but it’s important to be aware of some serious stuff, especially if you take other medicines, drink alcohol, or have certain health problems. Most of these serious things are not very common, and they can go away if you stop taking Cymbalta.

Here’s something that happened in March 2021: A 43-year-old woman got really sick with her liver while taking Cymbalta. It turned out that Cymbalta might have caused her liver to get big and her liver enzymes to go up. She didn’t have any past liver problems, and it wasn’t because of viruses or bacteria.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also said some serious things about Cymbalta between 2005 and 2017. They warned that if you drink a lot of alcohol or have liver issues, Cymbalta might not be a good idea for you.

So, if you take Cymbalta, make sure to talk to your doctor about any other medicines you take, and be careful with alcohol. And if you have liver problems, let your doctor know because Cymbalta might not be the right medicine for you. Your health is super important!

Serious Cymbalta Side Effects to Know About

Cymbalta can sometimes lead to some pretty important stuff you need to be aware of. Here’s what you should know:

  • Allergic Reactions: Some folks might be allergic to parts of Cymbalta, and if that happens, they could get things like a fever, hives (itchy bumps on the skin), and trouble breathing.
  • Gastrointestinal Bleeding: This is like having bleeding in your tummy, and it can make you feel really weak and tired. Sometimes, you might see red or dark, tarry blood in your poop.
  • Glaucoma: A few people who took Cymbalta had a problem with their eyes called glaucoma, which can hurt your vision. It happened pretty fast to someone within 15 days of starting Cymbalta.
  • Low Blood Sodium (Hyponatremia): This is when the salt in your blood becomes too watery. It can make you feel confused, give you headaches, and even lead to seizures or a coma.
  • Liver Problems: Although rare, Cymbalta can sometimes cause issues with your liver, like damage or failure. That’s why doctors are cautious about it.
  • Serotonin Syndrome: Sometimes, Cymbalta can make the levels of something called serotonin go too high in your body. This might make you feel really jittery, your heart might beat fast, and your blood pressure could change.
  • Skin Troubles: You might get a rash or lose some hair because of Cymbalta, but these issues usually get better once you stop taking it.
  • Anaphylaxis: This is a super bad allergic reaction that can happen, causing things like rashes, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and a weak but fast pulse. If this ever happens, you should go to the hospital right away.

Also, it’s important to know that you shouldn’t take Cymbalta if you drink a lot of alcohol, if your liver isn’t healthy, if you already have too much serotonin in your body, or if you take blood thinners. Your doctor will help you figure out what’s best for you.

What Happens When You Take Cymbalta for a Long Time

When you take Cymbalta for a long time, there can be some effects that stick around, even after you stop taking it. This is especially true for kids who take it.

Here are some things to know about the long-term effects:

  • Liver Troubles: Cymbalta can sometimes make your liver bigger and change the levels of stuff in it. That’s why doctors watch out for this.
  • Heart and Cancer Risk: If you gain a lot of weight while taking Cymbalta, you might be more likely to get heart problems or cancer later on. Doctors are still studying this to be sure.
  • Falls in Older Folks: If older people feel dizzy because of Cymbalta, they might be more likely to have accidents like falling down. A study from 2019 showed this.
  • Slower Growth in Kids: Cymbalta can make kids lose weight and grow slower. So if your child takes it, the doctor will keep an eye on their weight.
  • Weight Gain: Some folks put on weight when they take Cymbalta, especially if they use it with other medicines. A study from 2021 found this, especially in veterans.

Most side effects from Cymbalta get better as your body gets used to it. But if you’ve been taking it for a long time, stopping it might be a bit tricky, and you could still feel some weird stuff for a while. Just remember, your doctor will help you through it and make sure you’re okay.

Some Questions

Why Does Cymbalta Withdrawal Feel So Bad?

It’s important to know that Cymbalta is a kind of medicine that helps with feeling better, especially when you’re feeling sad. But if you suddenly change how much you take, it can make you feel really, really bad. This includes feeling more anxious, sadder, having trouble sleeping, and even having thoughts about hurting yourself.

What Happens if You Stop Cymbalta All at Once?

If you stop taking Cymbalta all at once, it can make you feel pretty yucky. You might feel like you want to throw up, get dizzy, have a bad headache, feel really grumpy, and your skin might feel all tingly. Stopping your medicine quickly can also make your original problems come back, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before making any changes.

What’s Cymbalta Withdrawal Like?

When you’re going through Cymbalta withdrawal, it can feel like a bunch of not-so-nice things. You might have trouble sleeping, bad dreams, sweat a lot, feel super worried, get dizzy, throw up, have a runny tummy, feel easily annoyed, and even have weird sensations in your hands or feet. It can feel like little shocks in your head or tingling on your skin.

Is Cymbalta Withdrawal Forever?

Cymbalta withdrawal can be tough, but the hardest part usually happens in the first 1 to 2 weeks after you stop taking it. After that, things start to get better, although it can take a few weeks or even months for everything to go back to normal. So, it’s not forever, but it can be a bumpy ride for a little while.

Check Out More: Cymbalta Withdrawal: Side Effects & Symptoms

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