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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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Thanks so much for reaching out. I’m doing very well with decreasing the name brand Cymbalta but I only have enough capsules for about two weeks. I don’t mind the bead counting. I’ve tried to find out if there is a generic brand that may not send me over-the-edge. I can’t get any feedback from anyone, in multiple groups, with suggestions. I didn’t know about the name brand discontinuation until recently. I would have started this process a year ago if I had known. I’m terrified to switch back to the generic because it was like I had taken nothing. AND, you are right…this medication should have never been marketed. Furthermore, when so many patients have reported the adverse effects, Lily should have been forced to continue producing. At the very least, patients, doctors , and pharmacies should have been notified directly.
The second portion - you phrased it perfectly.
I am so sorry that the duloxetine (generic) did not provide any results for you. They were constantly switching me on/off generic and the brand name (120 mg for 13 years; prescribed for nerve pain following a spinal cord injury at age 23).
Again, not sure where you are located, but I am glad to hear you are having success with the bead counting. I got "lucky" in the sense that I was able to find a doctor who coordinated with a local compounding pharmacy and they "made" my own lower dosages, so I did not have to do the bead counting.
You got this. Hang in there. I am not familiar with this internet platform so I do not know if there is a messaging option, but if you need support/guidance, I am here.
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1 ReactionI’m in the US, Delaware. I have had some medications compounded but I never thought this was an option for Cymbalta.
I am in New York - they were able to do 15 mg, 10 mg, 5 mg, 2.5 mg, 1 mg, to allow for me to wean. Just something to look into if possible.
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1 ReactionSo sad that Lilly is not going to product Cymbalta any longer. It is a very good product; I have been taking the brand (and not the generic) for many years.
If the generic Cymbalta does not work for you - consider filling out a FDA 3500B Form - Voluntary Reporting for Consumers - which can be found on the FDA.gov website. I do this each time a generic Cymbalta is not effective for me. I have filled it out three times on three different occasions - for Sun, Lupin and Ajanta. We need to let the FDA know that this is happening. Breckenridge is the only one that has been effective thus far and it is difficult to get..
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1 ReactionI learned of this today, from the pharmacist. This is horrible news. Duloxitine doesn't work for me, I told her it is like taking a sugar pill. I was paying outta pocket for cymbalta, because it worked. They claim it is the same ingredients, but it is not the same. I am so worried. 😟
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2 ReactionsNot in Upstate NY.
Please fill out a FDA 3500B form if the generic Cymbalta does not work for you. It can be found on the FDA.gov website. I have done it for 3 generic duloxetine manufacturers: Ajanta, Sun and Lupin. Let's let them know!
Ugh, I am so sorry. I am on Long Island and not too far from the city. I spent time up in Watertown, NY so I know the more rural areas have less resources in that respect. I am so sorry.
Fml I’m going to die, I’ve been on brand name cymbalta since human trials. It’s been 20yrs now… the withdrawals are horrendous, i left Effexor for cymbalta and never looked back because Effexor was killing my marriage with a lack of a sex drive: