Hi, I'm Irem

September 18, 2026

15 years ago I've started with Prozac and continued with Lustral (the names can be different in some countries). 13 years ago I've started to take Cymbalta. Started with 30mg, then 60mg and for the last 12 years I've been taking 90mg. I am at the stage of my life that I can now think about tapering. It was very good at first but now I feel the disadvantages of taking them long term. Hope to get any advice and experience with tapering Cymbalta. Looking for a good doctor at the moment.

Cymbalta — 90mg — 13 years — researching taper

8 Replies

DuloxiSep 18

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Irem, Welcome to the community! Maybe I can support you by sharing some of my own experiences.

Cymbalta — 20mg(12mg) — 17 Jahre — holding -with clinician - 90 mg – 2021: First tapering attempt.
60 mg – 2023: Second tapering attempt.
With a doctor's supervision—but unfortunately, a doctor who doesn't know how to properly taper off an antidepressant.

IremSep 18

Cymbalta · researching

@Duloxi thank you very much. Well actually deep down I'm very afraid of the withdrawal symptoms and if they induce a panic attack. For a few weeks I've ben doing a lot of research about hyperbolic tapering and still trying to find a doctor who is familiar with the latest literature on the subject. Ps: English is not my first language. Sorry for any mistakes

Cymbalta — 90mg — 13 years — researching taper

DuloxiSep 18

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Irem, First of all, I would say that between 90 mg and 60 mg, withdrawal symptoms can still occur if you taper too quickly, but they may be reduced by following a hyperbolic tapering approach. Personally, I would reduce by only around 5% at a time, or even more slowly if necessary. English isn’t my native language either. I use AI to double-check my English. 😅

IremSep 18

Cymbalta · researching

@Duloxi Thank you so much. 🥰 Hopefully I will find a doctor in a few days and start my tapering off journey. After starting if I have any questions, would that be okay if I contact you from here?

Cymbalta — 90mg — 13 years — researching taper

DuloxiSep 18

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Irem, Yes, discuss it with your doctor. I’m curious to hear what they suggest. Doctors don’t always have much experience with how to approach tapering, so just be careful if their recommendation isn’t what you were hoping for. After all, you’ll probably still need prescriptions from them along the way. 😉 And yes, I really do want you to keep in touch. Tapering can sometimes go quite smoothly at the higher doses, even down to around 30 mg, if you take it slowly and carefully. I really don’t want you to have to go through the things I’ve been through. It simply doesn’t have to be that way.

IremSep 18

Cymbalta · researching

@Duloxi I have some language barriers living in Germany but not speaking German. But I'm hopeful 🥰 I will keep you posted on how it goes. ✌🏼

Cymbalta — 90mg — 13 years — researching taper

DuloxiSep 18

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

I speak German, but let’s just stick with English. It’s working pretty well so far, isn’t it? 😄

IremSep 18

Cymbalta · researching

@Duloxi hahaha it is! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

Cymbalta — 90mg — 13 years — researching taper

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