Suggest Ways To Wean Off Cymbalta

Posted on Thu, 8 Jan 2015

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

Thu, 8 Jan 2015 Answered on

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I,m on 30mg Targin twice a day for the last 2 months. The increase from 20mg didn't achieve any thing and I've decided to get off it completely ASAP. I have had Fibromyalgia since 1994 and Parkinson's Disease since 2008. I have Insulin dependant diabetes, and I'm on Cymbalta for long term serotonin depletion since in my late20's. I'm going to be 60 this year. I started a hypno CD for pain management 3 weeks ago and have found it REALLY helpful. Feel free to recommend it to Fibro sufferers. It would have saved me a lot of pain, allowed me to DO things and my Dr wouldn't have to have kept telling me that people can use their minds to lie on nails and last time she told me I have a soft brain(hence Hypno CD ) I see her tomorrow and would like to know the pros and cons of weaning off fast Thanks. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Weaning rapidly may result in withdrawal symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I have read your question and I can understand your concern. I also appreciate your efforts to control pain by non pharmacological methods that is by Hypnotherapy. You have history of Fibromyalgia and serotonin depletion along with Parkinson's disease and IDDM. You are taking Cymbalta or Duloxetine since years. For pain you are on Targin (Oxycodone and Naloxone) 30 mg and it didn't resulted in relief on increasing dose.

Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic drug and abrupt stoppage of its use after regular use may result in withdrawal effects and it may result in rebound increase in pain. So I would advise you to wean off gradually at least over 4 weeks (in some individuals the period can be longer). Gradual tapering will not result in rebound increase in pain and other withdrawal effects. You can reduce the doses by 20% every week. Continue to control pain by hypno CD while tapering the doses.

Weaning the doses rapidly will result in restlessness, anxiety, pain, body aches, worsening of symptoms of Fibromyalgia, diarrhoea, insomnia etc symptoms. To prevent these effects gradual tapering is advised. Other than this there are no cons in tapering rapidly.

Weaning from drug and controlling pain by Hypno CD will make you free of drug and you will feel better. This will save you from side effects of drugs and will improve your functioning and pain will be reduced. Consult your doctor again for detailed prescription of drug if needed. You can discuss with her to wean off from drug.

Thanks, please don't hesitate to ask again if you have more doubts.

Dr Seikhoo Bishnoi
MD Neuropsychiatry

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E