Cymbalta, the brand name of the medication duloxetine, is typically prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder or depression. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin and norinepinephrine in the brain to increase the ability to maintain mental balance and cope with pain, and can be a very effective treatment option. However, if a person suddenly stops taking Cymbalta, some unpleasant reactions may occur.
Dizziness
Dizziness is the most common withdrawal symptom, occurring in up to 12 percent of people, according to the medical website eMedTV.com. Patients experiencing dizziness should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until the dizziness has subsided. They also should avoid standing upright too quickly from a horizontal position, as this may bring about the condition.
Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea or vomiting can occur when stopping Cymbalta, although the two do not always happen concurrently. While nausea occurs in up to 6 percent of people who stop taking Cymbalta, vomiting only occurs in up to 2.4 percent of people, eMedTV.com states.
Headaches
Another common withdrawal symptom of Cymbalta is a throbbing pain in the head. The website eMedTV.com states that these headaches occurred in up to 5.3 percent of people in clinical studies. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be able to provide some relief.
Unpleasant Skin Sensations
Tingling, burning and other unpleasant sensations of the skin may also occur for some people stopping the medication. Although the type of sensation may vary, they are all classified as the same symptom and occurred in up to 2.9 percent of people, according to eMedTv.com.
Nightmares and Difficulty Sleeping
Up to 2 percent of people stopping Cymbalta will experience nightmares, eMedTV.com warns. Some people will also have difficulty falling or staying asleep, the National Institutes of Health says, but this is not as common as the nightmares.
Mental Side Effects
Feeling on edge or irritable is another withdrawal symptom of Cymbalta. It occurs in up to 2.4 percent of the population, eMedTV.com says. In addition to the irritability, anxiety can also occur, RxList.com says, but this symptom is not common.
