Posted by Avalon on May 23, 2006, at 23:50:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by secretme on May 23, 2006, at 22:45:09
Secretme, I normally try not to even read the side effects ahead of time because I don't want to psych myself out and maybe not give the medication a sufficient trial run. (I do read the drug interactions and warnings, however.) Whenever I do read the side effects, I feel like they are worst-case scenario and probably don't affect the majority of patients that way, including hopefully me. So, with that said, I found the information below on the Cymbalta.com website under "Prescribing Information". It lists the possible risks of "abrupt" discontinuation of treatment. It pretty much describes the symptoms we're all having. If I were reading this before taking the med, I would think a gradual reduction would prevent this -- in fact, it pretty much says that. As we all know, that is NOT the case. This warning needs to be much more specific about the serious withdrawal risks, gradual or not gradual. Here's what it says:
Discontinuation of Treatment with Cymbalta — Discontinuation symptoms have been
systematically evaluated in patients taking Cymbalta. Following abrupt discontinuation in MDD
placebo-controlled clinical trials of up to 9-weeks duration, the following symptoms occurred at
a rate greater than or equal to 2% and at a significantly higher rate in Cymbalta-treated patients
compared to those discontinuing from placebo: dizziness; nausea; headache; paresthesia;
vomiting; irritability; and nightmare.
During marketing of other SSRIs and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon
discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric
10
mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric
shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia,
hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. Although these events are generally self-limiting, some have
been reported to be severe.
Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment with Cymbalta.
A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible.
If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of
treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the
physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate (see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION).
poster:Avalon
thread:466069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060505/msgs/647632.html