Is It Normal To Get Brain Shocks When Coming Off Cymbalta For Anxiety?

Posted on Tue, 10 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 Answered on

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Have just recently come off cymbalta for anxiety i was 60 mg a day i wanted to come off them so i weaned off them am getting like brain shocks now

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (4 minutes later)

maybe you have reduced the doses too soon. i would suggest you get to full dose immeadiately and then try to taper it off again i will suggest u meet your dr before u do this further

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (1 minute later)

What will happen if i stay off them

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Continious Brain zaps, agitation. tapering of dose Detailed Answer: Hello, Yes. Now you are suffering from Withdrawal syndrome of Duloxetine( Cymbalta). The withdrawal symptoms are dizziness, pins and needles sensations, feeling sick, difficulty sleeping, intense dreams, headache, irritability, sweating, diarrhoea, tremor, agitation or anxiety. Thus You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine. But Withdrawal symptoms are temporary and are not the same as addiction. They can usually be avoided by stopping the medicine gradually, usually over at least two weeks. If you stay off, then the symptoms which i mentioned will be severe. Then you may need inpatient treatment for severity of symptoms like agitation, anxiety, diarrhea etc. Thus better to avoid the severity of symptoms. Please take drugs as your treating doctor prescribed and withdraw the dose by tapering as per his advice. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj