When taken as directed, Cymbalta can be an extremely beneficial medication. However, like virtually every other prescription drug, its use has been linked with a variety of adverse effects. When you’re taking this medication, it’s important to understand your risk of Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms and side effects.
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, don’t wait! Call us today or schedule a free assessment to take the first step towards healing!
What Is Cymbalta?
Cymbalta is the brand name of a prescription medication that may be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Doctors sometimes also prescribe Cymbalta to people who have physical health concerns such as chronic musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, and diabetes-related nerve pain.
The primary active ingredient in Cymbalta is duloxetine, which is classified as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Other commonly prescribed SNRIs include venlafaxine (Effexor) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).
Cymbalta Side Effects
Virtually every prescription medication can cause adverse effects (side effects). Cymbalta is no exception. Below, we’ve listed some of the short- and long-term side effects that have been linked with Cymbalta use.
Short-Term Side Effects
Common short-term side effects of Cymbalta include:
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Excessive perspiration
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Decreased appetite
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea or constipation
Long-Term Side Effects
In some cases, Cymbalta use can cause more severe, long-term side effects such as:
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Tremor
- Inflammation of the large intestine
- Liver damage
- Dependence
People who abuse Cymbalta, especially those who combine it with alcohol or other drugs, may have an elevated risk of more severe, longer-term side effects.
Cymbalta doesn’t cause the disorientation, sedation, or euphoric rush that other frequently abused prescription medications do. However, its ability to ease anxiety and improve mood can entice people to take it in larger doses or more frequently than directed by their physician.
If you develop any side effects after using Cymbalta, you should consult with the physician who prescribed the medication to you. Depending on the nature and severity of your side effects, your doctor may switch you to a different med or adjust your dosage.
It is never a good idea to stop taking a prescription medication or alter your dosage on your own, without talking to your doctor first.
Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms
You may have noticed that dependence, is final entry in the long-term side effects section above. Does this mean that you can become addicted to Cymbalta?
Here’s the deal: When you take certain prescription medications for an extended period, your body will adapt to their presence. If you abruptly stop using the drug, your body may react with a variety of distressing symptoms. This is known as withdrawal, and it is one of the definitive signs of addiction.
Dependence on Cymbalta isn’t the same as becoming addicted to alcohol, opioids, or other powerful substances. But Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms can (and do) occur, and they may involve both physical and psychological discomfort.
Examples of potential physical symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Disturbing nightmares
Physical Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms can also include a phenomenon that’s often referred to as “brain zaps.” These are brief sensations that feel like light electrical shocks or jolts in your brain. Brain zaps can occur when withdrawing from several types of prescription antidepressants, including Cymbalta.
In the psychological category, the list of possible Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms includes:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Mood swings
The severity and duration of a person’s Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on a variety of individual factors, but the most severe symptoms usually dissipate within a week or so.
Of course, ending your Cymbalta use can lead to a recurrence of the symptoms that caused you to take the drug in the first place, which underscores the importance of working with your physician to develop an appropriate plan before you stop taking it.
Treatment Options for Prescription Drug Addiction
Though Cymbalta withdrawal can be disconcerting, you can typically minimize your distress by gradually reducing your dosage over time.
Your doctor can help you set up an appropriate tapering plan, which will allow your body to slowly adjust to the reduced amounts of the medication in your system. Then, once you’ve safely ended your Cymbalta use, you and your physician can determine the best next steps for you, which could include a different medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.
For other types of prescription drugs – particularly opioid-based painkillers – the withdrawal process can be much more intense, with more powerful cravings and other intense symptoms. If you have become dependent on one of these prescription drugs, you may be best served by spending time in one or more of the following programs:
- Detoxification
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient care
If your struggles with prescription drug addiction are accompanied by anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern, it is essential to find a provider that can identify and address the full scope of your needs. Clinicians refer to the simultaneous presence of addiction and a co-occurring mental illness as dual diagnosis.
Effective dual diagnosis programming can help you end your prescription drug abuse and learn how to manage your mental health symptoms. Untreated dual diagnosis can be devastating – but with proper care and a concerted effort on your part, you can build a foundation for a much healthier and more hopeful future.
Get Help for Prescription Drug Addiction in Atlanta
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry is a trusted source of personalized outpatient care for adults who have been living with certain mental illnesses and co-occurring prescription drug addiction.
When you choose our treatment center near Atlanta, Georgia, you will be cared for by a small team of dedicated professionals who truly care about you. We’ll work closely with you to identify the full scope of your needs and help you set realistic, achievable goals. Then we’ll develop a customized plan just for you, so you can start living the healthier life you deserve.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Appointments page or call us today.
