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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Trying To Get Off Cymbalta. What Are The Risks ?

Hi! I am interested in knowing more about an FDA Advisory Committee report about Cymbalta Discontinuation Syndrome that was referred to in an article by Christina Lasich MD on Nov. 07, 2011 that I have just read. I am wondering what, if any followup there has been by the FDA or Drug Company maker of Cymbalta regarding this article. My daughter is suffering greatly trying to get off of this miserable drug & I am trying to find some answers as to why Dr.s are allowing this drug to still, in Feb. 2013 prescribe this drug without HUGE warnings to the patient about the risk that they will be taking with there health while on Cymbalta as well as while trying to withdraw from it. If you can help me in this matter I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much. AAAAA(Very concerned Mom) Sorry if I sound angry in
Mon, 18 Mar 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Cymbalta is similar to other antidepressants that work on the SSRI system in this respect. Withdrawal syndromes have been reported in Paxil, Effexor and many other brand name antidepressants. When one of my patients decides that they no longer need the medication or if I recommend that they stop the medication, I recommend that they taper off slowly. Sometimes for people who have a very difficult time, we taper them off of one of the longer acting antidepressants to one of the shorter acting antidepressants first to try and mediate these symptoms. The patient tapering off often feels very dizzy and sometimes reports an "out of body" type of sensation. While it is not dangerous, it is very uncomfortable and can be disconcerting.
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Trying To Get Off Cymbalta. What Are The Risks ?

Cymbalta is similar to other antidepressants that work on the SSRI system in this respect. Withdrawal syndromes have been reported in Paxil, Effexor and many other brand name antidepressants. When one of my patients decides that they no longer need the medication or if I recommend that they stop the medication, I recommend that they taper off slowly. Sometimes for people who have a very difficult time, we taper them off of one of the longer acting antidepressants to one of the shorter acting antidepressants first to try and mediate these symptoms. The patient tapering off often feels very dizzy and sometimes reports an out of body type of sensation. While it is not dangerous, it is very uncomfortable and can be disconcerting.