Patients Suffering Withdrawal Symptoms from Major Antidepressant Drug Suspect Manufacturer Hid Risk of Side Effect

    SAUSALITO, CA, October 18, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Patients using the anti-depressant drug, Cymbalta, have reported a number of physical and emotional side effects suffered after attempting to stop use of the drug. The drug's manufacturer, Eli Lilly & Company, has come under fire for failing to disclose the risks of Cymbalta withdrawal and promoting use of the drug while downplaying its side effects.

Free Advice has released new articles covering Cymbalta withdrawal to provide consumers with more information on what symptoms to expect and how injured patients can pursue legal action.

FDA Finds Evidence of Cymbalta Side Effects

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has investigated Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms, and released the results of an agency study that found:

- Clinical studies of abrupt discontinuation of Cymbalta show that withdrawal occurred in 44 to 50% of patients
- Of patients suffering withdrawal symptoms, 10% of those were severe
- Half of the patients who reported Cymbalta withdrawal had not resolved the side effects at the end of the two week study

Patients in the FDA study displayed a wide array of physical and emotional side effects as a result of abrupt discontinuation of Cymbalta use, including:

- Suicidal thoughts
- Tremors
- Nausea
- Appetite changes and weight gain
- Insomnia
- Full body shaking
- Tunnel vision

The FDA's study also pointed out that there had been "a serious breakdown at both the FDA and the manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company, in providing adequate warnings and instructions about how to manage [the side effects]," which suggests that Eli Lilly was aware of the potential side effects from Cymbalta withdrawal and provided neither the FDA nor the American public with adequate warning of the risks.

For more information about Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms, click here to read a Free Advice article.

Eli Lilly's History of Misleading Cymbalta Advertisements

According to patients who have suffered Cymbalta withdrawal, Eli Lilly mislead consumers with a series of aggressive advertisements that highlighted the positive effects of Cymbalta and downplayed, or ignored, the potential risks of withdrawal side effects. As more patients come forward with complaints of withdrawal symptoms, Eli Lilly's recent history of unlawful promotion of the drug could suggest the company was aware of Cymbalta's risks and failed to disclose them to consumers.

Eli Lilly was fined in 2007 and 2009 by the FDA for unlawfully promoting Cymbalta through mailings that gave false statements that overstated the effect of the drug and downplaying clinical studies that revealed risks of Cymbalta withdrawal. Further, the company has been accused of selectively publishing study results that over-exaggerate the effect of Cymbalta and hide the risks.

Misleading Claims About Cymbalta Side Effects Could Lead to Lawsuits

Citing the history of Eli Lilly's fines by the FDA and the suspicion that the company provided misleading study results, patients claim that the company has established a pattern of falsified advertising to press Cymbalta on patients without adequate warning of the risks. Attorneys preparing legal action against the company claim that Eli Lilly was aware of the moderate to severe side effects associated with Cymbalta withdrawal, promoted use of the drug without warning of these risks, and caused patients who used the drug unaware of the consequences significant injury. By arguing that Eli Lilly Company was aware of Cymbalta side effects and downplayed them to promote use of the drug, patients and their attorneys will look to hold the drug manufacturer liable for medical bills and pain & suffering damages. For more information, click here for Free Advice's latest article about Cymbalta lawsuits.

As more patients come forward, experienced lawyers are offering consultations with people who have suffered moderate to severe side effects from Cymbalta withdrawal. Typical symptoms last for several weeks after ceasing the use of Cymbalta, or are so severe as to prevent the patient from being able to stop use of the drug. If you or a loved one has suffered from Cymbalta withdrawal, click here for a FREE case evaluation by an experienced attorney.

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