3 replies to this topic

[Sleepyhead]

I have noticed myself and have read other people's experiences that even with very slow tapering that the withdrawal at the last milligrams of cymbalta is harder. So even recommend weaning at an even slower rate. Does anyone have an explanation for this? I really like to understand what is happening and why the last little bits affect the brain so much?

[fishinghat]

You know sleepyhead I can't find anything in the literature on this and I can't think of a good reason either but I have noticed that it is common for many medicines.

[hyg]

Sleepyhead, This bothers me too,and I think it must somehow relate to the 12 hour 1/2 life of the drug as we decrease the dose. Depending on the percent you taper and the mgs must somehow matter too. I hope someone comes along to help that loves math. Let me try to explain my thinking. If you reduce at 15mg, and the half life is 12 hours, then in 12 hours you have 7.5mg in your system, and at 24 hours(next dose), you only have 3.75mg. That's a big reduction until you get to your next dose. This 3.7mg can vary also depending on the cumulative dose from 2 days ago and how your individual body absorbs, metabolizes and eliminates the drug. This would also explain why ppl who go cold turkey from 120 mgs, sometimes don't show withdrawal symptoms for 3 days. That's my thinking anyway. Hyg

[fishinghat]

And to add to that Cymbalta is stored in the liver and fat tissue so throw that in the mix and you really could have a long time frame to get it all out of the system.