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Brand Name Cymbalta by Eli Lilly is being discontinued!
I am seriously overwhelmed and scared. I just found out online that Cymbalta (brand name from Eli Lilly) is being discontinued worldwide. I called Eli Lilly customer service and they stated that it is discontinued. Whatever allotment is left with be distributed and that is it. I have tried the generic versions of Cymbalta along with other medications, such as Fetzima, Zoloft, Trintellix, Pristiq, Wellbutrin…none of them helped at all. I actually went into withdrawal in 2014 and 2016 when my health insurance wouldn’t cover the brand name Cymbalta, while having to take the generic duloxetine. It does not work the same, especially if you’ve been on the brand name first. I’ve contacted the FDA many times, and they could care less. There’s many articles out there that stated how many people have had issues with the generic version of Cymbalta. I currently Called the FDA to see if they could reach out to Eli Lilly for those of us who currently take Cymbalta. I have been on it now for almost 18 years, even emailing the CEO with no response from the company. Obviously they don’t care. They made their money over the last 20 off of the medication and now they have new medication to make more money off of. I literally have been getting severe panic attacks over this and I know when I’m not on the brand name, I will end up in the hospital or dead, and nobody is listening! What more can I do to change this? I feel like I’m planning my own funeral in my head, and none of these corporate people that make these decision could care less. The only med that works for me is being discontinued and I feel like my days are numbered. Never been this scared in my life.
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I just found out as well. I have tried the generic when it first came out and it did not work for me. I am so scared as well. I just received the generic in the mail. I have a couple weeks of Cymbalta left. I am currently a caregiver for my 89 year old mom and have been for 25 years now. It already is mega stressful. I cannot image what life will be like if this generic does not work!
Go off as slowly as you can! Any idea why they are discontinuing it? It ruined my life!!! I cant even drive anymore!
I spoke to Express Scripts (our mail provider for retired military) and they suggested that the prescribing doctor write on the prescription that it is required for it to be filled by the same manufacturer. So, while it is the generic, at least we won't be shunted around from one manufacturer to another.
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2 ReactionsI just learned today that I can no longer get my script for Cymbalta filled, as it has been discontinued by Eli Lily! I was told I was given a phone call on July 29th. I’ve no recorded call with that info. I have the same problem another patient wrote about. Brand name is necessary for me. as the generic blurs my vision. I have paid $375.14 per month to get the brand name. I have taken every SSRI antidepressant there is out there except for Pristiq. Just this past spring I went through a long period of time getting weaned off of Cymbalta and onto Paroxetine. It was six long weeks of agony. Once I was completely off Cymbalta (90mg./day) I was on only the Paroxetine. 2 weeks into the switch, I developed an internal quaking and my hands shook! Then by the 6th week, on only Paroxetine, my dreaded panic attacks began. They were relentless. I was afraid to even get out of bed in the morning. I was losing wt. rapidly (the only good thing from this debacle, but a heck of a way to do it!) Finally, with the help of my very excellent practitioner I made my way back to the 90 mg. of Cymbalta. It has taken many weeks to feel safe again and the panic attacks stopped.
I read on another website today that those of us who desperately need brand name Cymbalta are just going to have to go to the generic brand or switch to a different med!
That is ridiculous and dangerous! It takes six carefully monitored weeks to change SSRI’s safely! It even stated withdrawal symptoms could develop! How about death!!!??? It is unsafe to go almost cold turkey doing it so rapidly! One would think the Fat Cats in big pharma would be aware of those risks! This needs to be addressed to Eli Lily!!! Petitions, a class action suit , whatever! They can not endanger our lives!!!
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1 ReactionHave you tried Zoloft? I take a combination of Zoloft, Buspar and Wellbutrin along wit clonazepam/Klonopin. I have been taking this for over thirty years. You might want to try it.
Good luck to you.
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1 ReactionWelcome to the group, hope you find some answers on this sight.
I dont know if im generic or not but it was just reduced to 60 because psych nurse said it may be the pill that may be causing imbalance problem, tho the lamictal states it does.
Every body handles every drug differently. I have never had balance issues and I exercise vigorously 6-7 days a week. I used to jog but now I walk very fast. I alternate walking and water walking during the Summer. I am 74 and my PCP thinks I am in excellent shape and she is the one I listen to.
Ironically her practice is almost entirely seniors. I also don’t drink or smoke.
I prefer listening to someone with an MD next to her name rather than someone that gets their advice from Dr Google.
If you haven’t looked at the side effects on almost all medications “ May cause dizziness “ is probably one of the side effects.
I am amazed at how many ads list “ May cause death” and yet people take the medication.
Good luck to everyone out there. Rely on your doctor and not some random stranger.
I weaned off Cymbalta and it took me 3 years. 6 weeks sounds like way too fast and you were probably having withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta. I tried to wean off of Cymbalta 2 times before only taking about 6 weeks and had to restart due to withdrawal symptoms. Maybe your panic attacks weren't because the new med didn't work but Cymbalta withdrawal was kicking in big time. Did you try support group Cymbalta Hurts Worse alot of people have experienced same as I did. Good luck
So sorry you are having this problem. I have had to give up medication for one reason or another, many times. Withdrawal isn't pretty for anyone, then the Dr gives you something to help with the withdrawal, and you have to eventually give that up as well.
I realize that you have a different set of circumstances, but l understand how you feel about not being able to find a substitute for your medication. Hopefully, you will find an answer soon. I hope you will find the substitute that you need soon, even though you may feel that the odds are stacked against you.