Brand Name Cymbalta by Eli Lilly is being discontinued!

Posted by rockerjock79 @rockerjock79, Dec 16, 2024

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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jb13 | @jb13 | Aug 2 8:34am

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!

DBS | @dbbardini | Aug 3 6:05pm

In reply to @annitab63 "I only found out a few weeks ago that name brand Cymbalta was discontinued. I just..." + (show)

Go off as slowly as you can! Any idea why they are discontinuing it? It ruined my life!!! I cant even drive anymore!

bettes | @bettes | Aug 4 8:34am

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.

sickchick67 | @sickchick67 | 1 day ago

I 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!!!

daveshaw | @daveshaw | 1 day ago

In reply to @sickchick67 "I just learned today that I can no longer get my script for Cymbalta filled, as..." + (show)

Have 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.