I have been on Cymbalta (for pain and depression) for approximately four years--I am on the maximum dose of 60mg twice a day. It became generic about a year ago but now (as of January 1, 2015) the generic went from $7.00 for a 90 day supply to $250.00. My primary care doctor who has prescribed Cymbalta, is recommending I switch to Effexor which is $5.00 for 90 days. On this site I have been reading about the horrors of getting off Cymbalta. My primary care MD says it shouldn't be a problem because the Effexor would be a replacement med that should eliminate the withdrawal issues---it's in the same "family" as Cymbalta. I know several people who have taken Effexor with good results and it has been around a long time.....maybe it's price will be more stable in coming years. Who knows. Odd thing is in my "Guide to Drugs" book Cymbalta and Effexor are both said to be non-addicting. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! LupanCatwoman
I had the same issue with the price going up. I switched to Effexor and it was terrible. I didn't help me at all like Cymbalta did. Then I found this great website / app. You search your meds and it shows you the lowest price available. You can either print a coupon or show them the coupon from your smart phone. I have saved hundreds of dollars using this app. The only thing is, you can NOT use it in addition to your insurance, which is ok for me because it's still less expensive than my co-pays. Everybody qualifies for it, it's free, no strings attached. I couldnt believe it at first until I actually used it. Now recently I see they advertise it on TV in my area. For me, Cymbalta is $35.00 at Walmart. Prices vary with locations & pharmacies. The web site is GoodRx "dot" com
Also forgot to add...
My plaquenil went up to $219.00 for a 30 day supply. I get it now through GoodRx at Walmart for $17.00
Flutter---thank you so much!!!!!! LupanCatwoman
I’m on Effexor and it works great for me. I’ve also had experience with transitioning from one to another. I think you will be fine. Good luck!! I hate how the coverage of meds changes like that. SO aggravating. Especially cuz a lot of times its trial and error to find the right one. Sure seems like it’s driven by $$$ and not putting any consideration into what that might mean for the patient. Ugh.
My sister got off it without incident. And I presume you would be tapered off, which should help. Furthermore, if the symptoms are too extreme you could call your doctor and ask for some help for getting off Cymbalta.
I think it's bogus that it can go from $7 to $250 a month. Where are the watchdogs who try to stop things like this from occurring?
One thought: Wal-mart offers a lot of drugs at a great discount so it's worth your while to go and look. Also, if you're a member of AARP or AAA you can also get some discounts. It's worth a try!
I switched from cymbalta to Effexor and, if my memory serves me correctly which a lot of times it doesn’t (lol), I had some slight side effects like nausea and headache but it wasn’t real bad. The Effexor didn’t work for pain like cymbalta did but thankfully I’m doing better these days as far as the pain goes.
I agree with Anne; I think too that it’s all driven by dollar signs and who cares how it affects the patient.
I wish you the best!
Jen
You asked for experiences so here's mine. Effexor increased suicidal ideations with me and I actually attempted as it made my depression that much worse. Then again I was 25 then and if you've heard the commercials for it, it is linked to increased risk of suicide in teens and young adults. Cymbalta...ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE WITHDRAWAL! Again it did not help with my pain except maybe the first 2 months. After that it too made my depression worse and possibly my lupus symptoms. The withdrawal is by far the worst I've ever had with any drug. The only way I can describe it is brain and body zaps. Kind of like if you've ever stuck your tongue on a 9 volt battery and got zapped, well that's what you feel randomly for WEEKS! Very uncomfortable feeling. I would never recommend Cymbalta to anyone cause if you ask me it's one of the worst things you can put in your body. Now I know other people have had better results and it works for them, but in my opinion there's gotta be better alternatives.
Hi Lupan,
My rheumatologist wanted to switch me to Cymbalta from a combination of Pristiq and Amitryptaline. I was already on the Pristiq and Amitryptaline, prescribed by my psychiatrist. So my rheumy and my shrink had a phone call and they decided that I am getting the same effect from my combo of meds that I would with Cymbalta. Cymbalta, Pristiq and Effexor are all SNRIs. Pristiq is a brand new drug, and I had to get special permission from my insurance company to start it. It's very closely related to Effexor, just one molecule has been split to make Pristiq. (That's what my doc said at least.)
Anyway, when I switched from Lexapro/Amitriptaline to Pristiq/Amitryptaline, my doc had me lowering one, introducing the new one, and basically slowly decreasing lexapro while adding in pristiq. It really made the transition seamless and I didn't feel a lot of those withdrawal side effects that people mention when weaning off meds. I feel really lucky that the psychiatrist I have knows that I have a family, and my son is autistic, and so I couldn't risk having a mental meltdown when switching meds. I feel like it was a good process for me, of course everyone's situations and body is different, right?
Good luck!
Jen
cymbalta is not addictive, i have been on it too, for 5years now , i took effexor also before i went to cymbalta, and it is in the same family, so you should not have any withdrawl symptons, i swear with the drug companies telling you now all the side effects of drugs, you do not want to take anything! i think you will be fine dear.....be well.....purrs..catspaw1955
It's not that it's addicting, it's just that like many drugs you can't be on it for a long time and just go off you need to wean so your body can re-adjust without it being too much of a shock to the system. It's not withdrawal in the terms you use when you think of addiction.
Effexor is an excellent medication, I interned in in-patient psychiatry and it was one of the best anti-depressants that address both depression and anxiety. It also has a side effect that should give you more energy than making you sleepy and it's also effective with pain management like Cymbalta is. You might even like it better!