Duloxetine Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment

trusted pharmacists giving information to a patient

Duloxetine withdrawal is very common and well documented, affecting nearly half of all patients. Common withdrawal symptoms include dizziness, headaches, and nausea, and symptoms generally resolve within a few weeks after discontinuing the medication.

Share This Post

Duloxetine, an FDA-approved generic antidepressant prescription medication sold under the brand name Cymbalta, is commonly used for the treatment of mental health issues such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder,  diabetic neuropathy and associated nerve pain, fibromyalgia, chronic musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain in the joints. 

Duloxetine belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs).

Like other medications that can affect the chemistry of the brain such as SSRIs, duloxetine is commonly associated with some withdrawal symptoms. 

Duloxetine withdrawal is so common that nearly half of all patients may experience symptoms when discontinuing use of the medication.

Who is likely to experience symptoms of duloxetine withdrawal?

The risk of experiencing Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms associated with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine or venlafaxine varies depending on how long a patient has been using the drug, what dose of the medication they take, and their unique medical history. 

Patients who have been taking duloxetine for at least four weeks are considered to be at risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms due to the way the drug acts on the receptors of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. 

While many patients experience withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the use of duloxetine, most patients are not aware that these symptoms can occur unless their doctor informs them.

This is because unlike medications that can cause an obvious physical dependence, such as central nervous system stimulants or opioid pain medications, SNRIs like duloxetine act on the chemicals in the brain. 

If you’ve been taking duloxetine for more than four weeks, you will need to gradually reduce your dose of the medication under the medical advice of a healthcare professional in order to prevent or minimize withdrawal symptoms, also known as Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome. 

YouTube player

What are the symptoms of duloxetine withdrawal?

Like other medications that affect the balance of neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain, duloxetine is associated with a number of different withdrawal symptoms. 

Other medications that are also classified as SNRIs, like duloxetine, are also commonly associated with withdrawal symptoms. 

Symptoms of duloxetine withdrawal and SNRI withdrawal may include:

  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle spasms or tremors
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Drowsiness or fatigue
  • Increased sweating
  • Tingling or prickling shock sensations
  • Electric shock-like sensations called brain zaps
  • Seizures
  • Depression
  • Confusion

What is the timeline for duloxetine withdrawal?

Each person’s chances of experiencing duloxetine withdrawal are slightly different and will vary depending on the person’s age, the condition being treated, the dosage of the medication, and how long they have been taking the drug. 

A review of six different studies of patients discontinuing the use of duloxetine found that 44.3 percent of people stopping use of the drug experienced withdrawal symptoms, while nearly 23 percent of people taking the placebo experienced withdrawal symptoms. 

Symptoms of duloxetine withdrawal typically appear within two to four days of stopping use of the drug, and 65 percent of participants in the study reported that their withdrawal symptoms ended within a week of when they began. 

However, some patients may experience symptoms for up to a few weeks. Most symptoms of duloxetine withdrawal were reported to be mild or moderate.

What treatment is available for duloxetine withdrawal?

Tapering the dose of duloxetine, a strategy which involves gradually reducing your dose of the medication over time instead of abrupt discontinuation or quitting “cold turkey,” may be helpful for minimizing the symptoms of duloxetine withdrawal that a patient experiences.

However, studies show that tapering alone may not completely stop withdrawal symptoms from appearing.

If you or a loved one decide to taper down your dose of the drug in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms, you can expect to taper the medication under the guidance of a medical professional for at least two weeks. 

Most patients will not need to take additional medications in order to resolve symptoms resulting from duloxetine withdrawal, and inpatient treatment is uncommon.

However, duloxetine is associated with severe withdrawal symptoms, so discontinuation of the drug should only occur under the supervision of a doctor. 

Patients may find comfort in seeking support through an online group of people going through similar experiences or from family and friends.

Summary

Duloxetine has a well-documented history of causing significant withdrawal symptoms in some patients.

Studies have shown that nearly half of patients discontinuing use of the drug will experience side effects of duloxetine withdrawal. 

The most common duloxetine withdrawal effects include headache, nausea, and dizziness, but most patients find that their symptoms are mild to moderate and resolve within a week.

Other adverse effects of duloxetine include changes in blood pressure, suicidal thoughts, mood swings, and dry mouth. Rare cases may develop a deadly condition called serotonin syndrome.

Talk to your doctor to see if duloxetine is right for you. 

References, Studies and Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16266753/

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-91490-2114/duloxetine-oral/duloxetine-sprinkle-capsule-oral/details

https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/491524

We are committed to providing our readers with only trusted resources and science-based studies with regards to medication and health information. 

Disclaimer: This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you suspect medical problems or need medical help or advice, please talk with your healthcare professional.

Share This Post

Pharmacists.org Discount Club

Get Started for $1.

  • Cheapest cash pay option at your retail pharmacy
  • 1,000s of drugs below $10.00 that can beat your co-pay
  • Start for $1 for your first month. Cancel anytime. 
  • Tell us your meds, we tell you the cheapest options.

Popular Destinations

Recent Articles

trusted pharmacists giving patient information

Does Taking Effexor Cause Weight Gain?

Taking Effexor may cause weight gain in some patients. Weight gain is a common side effect of Effexor and other antidepressant medications, and more than half of patients on newer classes of antidepressants report experiencing weight gain.

Read More »

Cerebral Review: Online Depression & Anxiety Treatment

Today, we’re deep diving with a Cerebral review to give you some insider info to help you narrow down your choices.


We review and include products we think are useful for our community. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission. For more info, please read our ad policy, content principles and vetting policy.

Read More »

Share On:

More To Explore

Does Taking Effexor Cause Weight Gain?

Taking Effexor may cause weight gain in some patients. Weight gain is a common side effect of Effexor and other antidepressant medications, and more

How Long Does Lexapro Take To Work?

If you are considering taking Lexapro for your depression or anxiety, you might be wondering how long it takes to work.

Zoloft and Weight Loss: Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to Zoloft and weight loss, here’s everything you need to know.

Cerebral Review: Online Depression & Anxiety Treatment

Today, we’re deep diving with a Cerebral review to give you some insider info to help you narrow down your choices.

We review and include

What are the signs of Depression?

In this article, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of depression as well as some treatment options for this condition.

Can You Use Gabapentin For Anxiety?

While Neurontin is the most common brand name for gabapentin, other forms (such as Horizant and Gralise) may be prescribed depending on the specific

What is Zoloft?

If you have been recently diagnosed with depression and are given Zoloft, you may want to know how the medication works, what common side

What is Venlafaxine HCL ER?

The prescription drug belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SNRIs), which are commonly used to treat mental

Using Prozac With Alcohol: What Are the Risks?

Prozac can be used to treat many different mental health conditions, is associated with a relatively low risk of side effects, and causes the

How Long Does Clonazepam Stay in Your System?

This fast-acting medication is known for being effective at panic attacks, but how long does clonazepam stay in your system?

What is Sertraline and What are the Side Effects?

Sertraline is the generic form of Zoloft, a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs like

Turn On, Tune In, and…. Heal Your Brain? Psychedelics Return as Potential Therapy for Mental Health Disorders

Before they fell out of favor over half a century ago, psychedelic drugs, like psilocybin and LSD, were studied for various psychiatric diseases such

How Long Does Alprazolam Stay in Your System?

Alprazolam is a fast-acting medication, but exactly how long alprazolam stays in your body varies tremendously based on the form of the medication taken,

Paxil vs Zoloft: Differences, Similarities and Which is Better

When it comes to Paxil vs. Zoloft, which is better?

A Supplement for Stress? The Science Behind Adaptogens

Stress is part of all our lives. Adaptogens are a group of herbal supplements studied throughout history as a way to improve the body’s

Does Buspirone Cause Weight Gain?

Many antidepressants can cause weight gain as a side effect. Buspirone may cause an altered appetite as a side effect, which can lead to

Cymbalta vs. Prozac: Comparison Guide

Cymbalta and Prozac are commonly prescribed medications to treat mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder. The medications are similarly effective, although one

How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your System?

If you use Ativan to manage your health but are curious about how long Ativan lasts in your system, we have all the information

Why is Mental Health Important?

As the saying goes, “There is no health without mental health,” but why is mental health so important? The reality is that although we

What is BuSpar? Uses, Costs, Benefits, and Doses

If you’re one of 40 million American adults suffering from an anxiety disorder or experiencing symptoms of anxiety, you might think that your battle

What are Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics? 

Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics have been shown to prevent psychosis relapse in patients with schizophrenia. To combat poor medication adherence, LAIs are a great

Cymbalta vs Effexor: Differences and Side Effects

Effexor and Cymbalta are antidepressants used for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Although both medications are FDA-approved, Effexor and

Celexa vs Lexapro: Which is Better For Depression?

Both are regarded as equally effective drugs for treating depression. Find out the core difference between Celexa vs. Lexpro now!

What is Ativan? Uses, Costs, Benefits, Doses

More than 40 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, making it the most common mental illness in the

Lexapro Overdose: Signs, Symptoms, and Precautions

We’ve put together a list of the signs and symptoms to look out for when it comes to Lexapro overdose and some of the

Panic Attacks: The Story of an Overpowering Fear

Panic attacks are when you experience a sudden feeling of intense fear with no apparent threat or danger.  This triggers a "fight or flight"

Using Lorazepam with Alcohol: What Are the Risks?

Using lorazepam with alcohol is incredibly dangerous but can be a common occurrence, and is associated with potentially life-threatening side effects, which are outlined

Using Citalopram with Alcohol: What Are the Risks?

Mixing antidepressants with alcohol is always potentially dangerous, but using citalopram with alcohol is particularly unsafe due to the high potential for life-threatening side

Brightside Health Review: Is This Depression & Anxiety Care Useful?

Brightside is an online mental healthcare company that provides treatment services for a range of issues related to anxiety and depression. These conditions include

SonderMind Reviews: Pros & Cons of Their Therapy Services

SonderMind is a virtual mental health service that makes therapy and psychiatry more accessible. Find out if the pros outweigh the cons.

We review and