Furious Seasons

July 13, 2007

The Cymbalta Blues

Someone over on a MySpace blog recounts the crushing fatigue they're running into on Cymbalta. Along with suicidality, it's one of the more prominent injuries--ooops, I mean side effects!--of the anti-depressant. Less well-known are other injuries such as liver damage.

I mentioned recently that there was some concern among Lilly reps that Cymbalta could wind up with a black box warning over liver damage. Last week, I ran into a musician I know, one of Seattle's rock royalty, at a supermarket. He'd had a lot of physical pain issues in recent years and a doc had put him on Cymbalta. Lame doctor.

Then, my friend suffered actual liver damage and immediately went off Cymbalta. Re-diagnosed as bipolar, he's now on Lithium, which is processed in the kidneys, and it is ripping up his stomach. I shook his hand and said, "Welcome to the party."

Before it's all over, I suspect that Cymbalta will turn out to be a disaster for patients on the order of Paxil. If anyone thinks I am kidding, go read the comments on this post from last year.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at July 13, 2007 12:05 AM

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Comments

I count myself lucky that I have really not had these severe adverse-effects. I got the shakes from Lithium and Lamictal gave me the occasional migraine w/ a diminishment in my ability to access words. I read all these horror stories about what people are experiencing and it just makes me angry and sad that anyone would have to go through that for the sake of their mental health. It's definately why I went off SSRIs. It made me crazier and down the toliet they went.

Posted by: Chloe at July 14, 2007 03:05 PM

My MD put me on Cymbalta. I took it for 2 or 3 days. I quit because I was sleeping for 18-20 hours a day. I told the doctor this and the doctor was surprised - said it wasn't a known side effect. BAHHH!

Posted by: incaseiforget at July 14, 2007 08:49 PM

Scary side effects of antidepressant withdrawal Q@A Cymbalta

Posted by: Stephany at July 15, 2007 08:29 PM

Just started looking at the FDA Medwatch figures on the SSRIs. Cymbalta looks BAD. Suicidality, suicide attempts. suicide. Go, Eli Lilly.

Posted by: Mournful at July 18, 2007 06:16 PM

Luckily, I protected my liver with several years of drinking before starting Cymbalta. Liver damage? Not even. I've trained my liver to heal itself quite well, thanks.

You'll be happy to know that I went off the Klonopin almost immediately after surgery. Sunday evening, I will finish tapering off the Cymbalta for good. So far, no odd effects except for drowsiness, exhaustion, insomnia, slight irritability and increased / decreased appetite and my libido's long-awaited return.

After that, it's just figuring out what narcotic will best treat breakthrough pain ... or whether I should medicate it with my choice of adult beverages.

Posted by: Puckett at July 28, 2007 12:40 AM

Puckett go for the adult beverages. Glad to see you here again.

Posted by: Stephany at July 31, 2007 10:28 PM

Never really left, Stephany. Just haven't had much to say and I've been lurking. Skulking, even. That will be changing soon, although I don't know how much new stuff I'll have to say :)

Posted by: Puckett at August 8, 2007 04:39 AM

I love skulkers.

Posted by: Stephany at August 8, 2007 07:58 PM

Three months ago my doctor prescibed Cymbalta for pain, and anxiety. My blood pressure was checked onthly, and it was skyrocketing [159/104]. I have always had normal blood pressure levels [ie. 120/80].What!!!!! It does'nt take a rocket scientist to conclude that it was the doctors "warm and fuzzy" Cymbalta that was setting me up for a heart attack/ stroke. I'm to young to pose as a loyal lab rat, and die. I've got a five year old lovely daughter that, I believe, likes to have me around. Thanks anyway, pharmaceutical companies!!!!!!!Today, just two weeks after weaning myself off of Cymbalta, my blood pressure reading is 100/66. Although my doctor may not get his free vacations, I feel better than ever. YAYYYYYYYYeeee!!! Moral of story: Dont ask for help or someone might just try to kill you.

Posted by: Pamzilla at July 30, 2008 08:47 AM

I was put on Cymbalta back in April. It has been a nightmare, I cannot eat. I sleep over 12 hours a day but in 4 hour stretches. I have low grade depression and no lust for life. My libidio goes from hypersexual to dead. Fortunately this is not a problem because I do not have a partner right now.

And suicidal ideation- I thought I had it bad before but the last week has been a nightmare. I also am afraid to leave my apartment for the first time in my life. Because I am afraid of self harm.

I tried to go off it cold turkey because I was getting manic, and wicked runs and copious amounts of vomiting. That was a mistake. I need to have another med adjusted and then I can start tapering off this one.

this drug is pure hell.

Posted by: susan at November 8, 2008 04:36 PM

A few months ago my doctor decided that I should commence Cymbalta...said it was new and that I should try it. Now, I know that when you first start taking antidepressants the side effecrs can be quite disabling but wasn't I in for a rude shock with this variety! The side effects were HORRIFIC! I began to experience severe dizziness whilst at work, to the point where I couldn't stand up. Luckily enough I work in a hospital and a nurse noticed that I was looking very off. She took my blood pressure and it was THROUGH THE ROOF! Next thing I know, I have woken up 16 hours later with a hives-like rash on my face, severe lethargy and memory loss. I had to present to ED as I had a few signs pointing to acute liver damage. Since then I have had problems with oral thrush and flare ups of my psoriasis. I have taken a few types of anti-dep before but none like this. I highly recommend you avoid this drug. It was the worst experience of my life.

Posted by: Nina at November 15, 2008 01:58 AM