Coming off Duloxetine : I've been on Duloxetine for... - NRAS

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Coming off Duloxetine

Giller48 profile image
8 Replies

I've been on Duloxetine for several years and would be interested to see if my arthritis pain would change if I stop taking it.

Does anyone know what the long term side effects are? I understand that I would have to come off it gradually.

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Giller48 profile image
Giller48
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8 Replies
Hairbraid profile image
Hairbraid

I am just tapering off duloxetine after about 18 months dropped from 60 to 30 for next few weeks then doctor ringing me I will ask about side effects xx jane have rheumatoid

Giller48 profile image
Giller48 in reply to Hairbraid

Thanks, Jane; it will be interesting to see how you get on. I'm due a repeat prescription in about 10 days time, so I think that's when I'll start reducing my dosage.

Let's keep in touch and compare notes.

Hairbraid profile image
Hairbraid in reply to Giller48

Yes let’s be helpful take care 🥰

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels

Hiya Giller48, welcome. You probably know from when it was first prescribed to you that duloxetine is an anti-depressant but it's also a repurposed med for neurological problems. This can indirectly be helpful for arthritis, in easing nerve impingement due to inflammation for example but it's not an arthritis med per se.

I take pregabalin, different class of med but similar usage, & I don't have any long term side effects but that's me & not you. Was it anything in particular that concerns you? Yes, you would have to taper off it, a slow taper as you’ve been taking it several years. I think it would be best to ask either your GP, if it's Osteoarthritis you have, or your Rheumatogist if it's Rheumatoid Disease. The initial prescriber should also be able to give you a taper plan.

Giller48 profile image
Giller48 in reply to nomoreheels

Thank you so much for your reply.I have a lot of pain, which makes me think that maybe the Duloxetine isn't doing any good anyway, so I had the idea to come off it to see if it makes any difference.

I'm also concerned that long term usage of any drug can't be a good thing, because of any side effects.

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to Giller48

I'm sorry you're in pain but, please, don't attempt to come off duloxetine on your own. Talk with your GP as you could potentially have withdrawal symptoms if you don't have the correct doses to do the taper safely or at the correct speed having been on it a while. It's not just a case of missing an evening dose for example, it has to be done by smaller mgs. As I said he should give you a safe tapering plan. It may be a long one & different doses required to those which you have prescribed. My h has just started a taper of pregabalin. He was on 600mg daily & needed 50mgs to be prescribed in order to come off them correctly. Later he will be prescribed 25mg, as he nears the end of his taper.

This is from NHS website

Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you have been taking duloxetine for a long time.

This is to help prevent any extra side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine.

These include:

dizziness

feeling sick

numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

trouble sleeping

feeling agitated or anxious

headaches

shaking

Important Do not stop taking duloxetine suddenly or without talking to your doctor first. nhs.uk/medicines/duloxetine/

Just as an example for your concern about long term usage of meds, I’ve been on quite a lot of mine for 9 years, others like MTX even longer. I have annual med reviews so everyone involved in my care is aware of my current meds.

I hope all goes well. I suppose you'll find out if it did help by tapering off it, or amendments to your RD meds compensate for it. All the best.

Giller48 profile image
Giller48 in reply to nomoreheels

Thank you so much x

Loo7 profile image
Loo7

Hi, please make sure you come off this drug very slowly. I was on 40mg daily and told by my doc to take every other day. What a nightmare! I was then advised by another health professional to do it more slowly, which I did, and eventually I had to stop completely as my GP stopped prescribing them. I have never experienced anything like it. Crying all the time, feeling desperate and violent. Eight weeks on and I still don't feel right. Please be careful. Good luck.

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