Well LS I don't know why he didn't cross taper you on to the Fetzima. He seems a little strange.
The Clonazepam (a benzo) should help lower the risk of seizures some.
The info from the manufacturer and FDA...
http://www.fda.gov/d...e/UCM172866.pdf
The previous document was issued by the FDA warning of the severity of Cymbalta Discontinuation Syndrome.
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Cymbalta (Duloxetine) Discontinuation Syndrome
Issues of Scope, Severity, Duration & Management
June 9, 2009
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The effects of discontinuation can be severe and extend for weeks or even months
Extreme mood swings (anger, irritability)
Debilitating “Brain Zaps”
Physical and neurological problems
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Claims
Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome is more severe and much more widespread than acknowledged by Eli-Lilly
Lilly sales representatives and marketing materials do not adequately inform physicians about the likelihood and severity of discontinuation syndrome
Lilly Direct to Consumer (DTC) advertizing is misleading related to the probability, severity and complexity of Cymbalta discontinuation
Lilly has not developed and fielded a clinically proven protocol for safely discontinuing Cymbalta
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2) Lilly sales representatives and marketing materials do not adequately inform physicians about the likelihood and severity of Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome
Unaware physicians unable to discuss Cymbalta benefit-risk profile (including discontinuation) with their patients
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Lilly Direct to Consumer (DTC) advertizing is misleading related to the probability, severity and complexity of Cymbalta discontinuation
Also states that “opening the capsule is required to taper”
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Lilly does not offer small dose Cymbalta formulations to facilitate tapering. Patient required to open capsules and count drug beads
Patient may require compounding pharmacy services At his/her expense
Tapering may take weeks or months
https://dailymed.nlm...f2-c185fbad64ba
Cymbalta Drug Insert
2.7 Discontinuing CYMBALTA
Adverse reactions after discontinuation of CYMBALTA, after abrupt or tapered discontinuation, include: dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, paresthesia, irritability, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, hyperhidrosis, and fatigue. A gradual reduction in dosage rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].
5.7 Discontinuation of Treatment with CYMBALTA
Discontinuation symptoms have been systematically evaluated in patients taking CYMBALTA. Following abrupt or tapered discontinuation in adult placebo-controlled clinical trials, the following symptoms occurred at 1% or greater and at a significantly higher rate in CYMBALTA-treated patients compared to those discontinuing from placebo: dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, paresthesia, irritability, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, hyperhidrosis, and fatigue.
During marketing of other SSRIs and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. Although these events are generally self-limiting, some have been reported to be severe.
Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment with CYMBALTA. A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate [see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].
https://www.ncbi.nlm...les/PMC3229538/
"Although the risk of seizures with antidepressants is generally very low, the association with overdose is well established [80]. However, the molecular mechanisms by which antidepressants cause seizures have not been clarified. GIRK2 knockout mice exhibit spontaneous seizures and are more susceptible to seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol than wild-type mice [37]. The risk of seizures in overdoses with sertraline, duloxetine, mianserin, and venlafaxine significantly increases [80]–[82], and amoxapine overdose is more likely to cause seizures [83]. "
80. Montgomery SA. Antidepressants and seizures: emphasis on newer agents and clinical implications. Int J Clin Pract. 2005;59:1435–1440. [PubMed]
81. Whyte IM, Dawson AH, Buckley NA. Relative toxicity of venlafaxine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in overdose compared to tricyclic antidepressants. Q J Med. 2003;96:369–374. [PubMed]
82. Isbister GK, Bowe SJ, Dawson A, Whyte IM. Relative toxicity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in overdose. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2004;42:277–285. [PubMed]
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http://www.psychforu...topic69139.html
This is a thread about seizures and Cymbalta you might want to check out.
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http://pi.lilly.com/...ta-Medguide.pdf
Under side effects the manufacturer (Eli Lilley) lists seizures as a possibility.
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http://www.ehealthme...mbalta/seizure/
84,701 people reported to have side effects when taking Cymbalta.
Among them, 598 people (0.71%) have Seizure
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