Los Angeles, CA — Several patients across the country have been filing lawsuits against the dru g manufacturer giant Eli Lilly over potential health hazards associated with its popular antidepressant Cymbalta. Most cases allege potentially damaging withdrawal symptoms associated with the antidepressant along with the company’s failure to adequately warn physicians and their patients about such risks.
At least 28 lawsuits have been filed against the company thus far. The main allegation against Eli Lilly’s procedures regarding the antidepressant involves the manufacturer’s failure to warn patients certain harsh withdrawal symptoms may occur in nearly 44% of cases. Some patients suffered greatly during the periods they attempted to stop taking the medication.
Harsh Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations, nightmares, vertigo or dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and suicide thoughts. During the withdrawal symptoms phase, several patients experienced physical reactions directly linked to mood swings, putting themselves and loved ones in danger. Many patients have also claimed experiencing what many call “brain zaps,” meaning the sensation of electric-like shocks, sometimes followed by severe headaches. Paresthesia, the feeling of numbness and tingling all over one’s body, has also been associated with Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms.
The Food and D rug Administration officially approved the dr ug Cymbalta in 2004. The serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor dr ug, also known as an SNRI, blocks certain neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for impacting mood and emotions. While most patients are usually prescribed Cymbalta for the treatment of depression, physicians may also use the dru g to treat patients suffering painful medical conditions that may include osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, or diabetic neuropathy.
In 2012, the consumer watchdog institute known as Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) first reported that at least 50% of all Cymbalta patients reportedly suffered severe withdrawal symptoms after bringing an end to the intake of the antidepressant.
The report also claimed most serious symptoms lasted for longer than a week or two.
Cymbalta’s labeling warns consumers should come in contact with a healthcare provider before taking the medication since “[S]topping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.” To ISMP and the countless patients suffering greatly after taking Cymbalta, this warning is significantly insufficient.
By failing to reveal the symptoms to patients explicitly, the company has exposed them to great danger.
According to the consumer watchdog institute ISMP, Eli Lilly avoided urging consumers to minimize the dru g’s side effects by tampering off the medication instead of stopping its intake, thus putting them immediately in harm’s way. Due to these facts, it’s safe to say Eli Lilly has unfortunately acted negligently.
Nagelberg Bernard Law Group attorneys have over 30 years of experience. The firm’s partners have gained over $400 million for its clients amounting to a success rate of over 98%. Our attorneys care about patients suffering the side effects of Cymbalta and are now taking Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms cases.
You may contact the Nagelberg Bernard Law Group at 1-800-250-7960 for a free confidential legal consultation.
Nagelberg Bernard Law Group
8383 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 935 Los Angeles, CA 90211
http://www.baddruglawsuits.com/
Sources:
Institute for Safe Medical Practices — QuarterWatch Report (2012-Quarter1)
https://www.ismp.org/Newsletters/acutecare/showarticle.aspx?id=32