I recently quit taking Cymbalta about a month ago and am just now getting over the horrible withdrawals. I am a 19 year old female and have been taking this drug since I was 17 along with Seroquel which I stopped about 2 months ago. Since stopping I have gained 20 pounds in a month. I have not had any diet changes and am very confused because I never gained any weight during use of either drug and actually had a terribly hard time gaining any weight at all. Was 110lbs now I weigh 132lbs. Anyone else experience this?
Gaining weight very quickly after stopping Cymbalta?
Question posted by alexd42 on 10 Jan 2015
Last updated on 11 April 2022 by HQ123
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
14 Answers
HQ123
11 April 2022
Just came across this thread. I weaned myself off Cymbalta for weeks and went through horrible withdrawal. I gained like 5 lbs of bloat in my stomach. I'm not constipated or gassy so I think it's all water. It will not come off. I have been completely off Cymbalta for over a month now and the weight won't come off. I'm so bloated it's uncomfortable. I look 5 months pregnant every day no matter how much water I drink. I also eat healthy. I wish I didn't go on this drug. Anyone else experience this?
marcl111
17 Jan 2022
I have weened off Cymbalta over the last month and have gained 12 pounds while maintaining the same diet. Did not tie the gain to weening off the drug immediately. Just thought that it might have been being more sedentary with it getting colder. But no way the weight would come on that fast. Glad I found this thread and confirmed my suspicion.
nbot35
16 Sep 2021
I had the same issue and I am so glad to find this. I work out five days a week and eat healthy. Upon starting Cymbalta I was actually happy because it made me lose a little bit of weight… Just three or 4 pounds but that definitely helped my self-esteem. Overall, it was not working so we began to wean me off of it after taking it for about three months. Within the first couple of weeks I noticed that I didn’t just gain the three or 4 pounds back but an additional 5 pounds. I am now heavier than I was before I started taking Cymbalta and have not done anything different with my routine or eating habits. I continue to exercise five days a week with plenty of cardio / strength training / toning and have a pretty healthy diet. It’s only a few pounds but I am not understanding why this is so difficult to lose and whenever I speak to my doctor about it they seem baffled as well.
thecelia23
9 June 2021
I quit Cymbalta just over a month ago after 3 months on 30s. It eliminated my sex drive and made it almost impossible to orgasm if we did get after it. That wasn't acceptable for me, although it did greatly alleviate my fibromyalgia and depression symptoms! I gained about 5 lbs while taking it, but didn't eat great or work out during that time frame either, so I'm not sure it was the Cymbalta. However, as soon as I stopped, the weight started packing on... I gained about 15 lbs in a month I started tracking my food and working out... and gained another 10 lbs in 2 weeks time. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS WEIGHT, even 42 weeks pregnant! I am disgusted with myself. I WISH I HAD NEVER STARTED THIS MEDICATION. :( If I could live without a sex life, I'd go back on it, especially if it'd lean me back out. :(
Cassia21
9 May 2021
Yes, yes and 100 times yes. While I was taking Cymbalta, for ten months, I didn't gain any weight, but when I stopped it, I immediately gained 5 pounds in a month! And haven't lost it yet, after five months. Differently from other antidepressants, such as Celexa, the weight from Cymbalta seems almost impossible to lose! I regreted taking this drug, it is the worst drug ever!
adventureseeker1000
29 Aug 2019
Posting this to give hope to those who feel like the weight gain is permanent. My daughter finally lost all her Cymbalta weight (probably 10-15 lbs but she's tiny, so 10-15 lbs was a lot for her). She was prescribed Cymbalta at the age of 17 after testing proved that other classes of antidepressants were not effective for her (she'd tried others and they did nothing for her). The dose of Cymbalta was steadily increased to 90mg a day. She was only on this dose for a short while before she realized it was making her feel more depressed and tired, and overall very yucky psychologically, and she decided to stop taking it. She weaned off a little faster than ideally, but since she'd only been taking it for 3 months (dose of 30mg, then 60, then 90 over a 3-month period), we felt like a more rapid stop would be okay. She got off it in about a 10-day period.
She seemed to do fine, other than some headaches -- and instead of losing the weight she'd gained while on it (maybe 5-7 lbs), she seemed to gain more after stopping, which was odd. It's hard to remember, but I feel like she gained another 8 or so while weaning/ after stopping the drug. This was back in November. She thought the weight would eventually just melt off once her body adjusted to no Cymbalta, but it didn't. She regained her energy and felt better, but the weight was still there. Finally, she adopted some new routines in March and then over the spring and summer, she lost all the weight, and is continuing to lose even more! She is now less than what she was pre-antidepressants. I am sure her age (18) is in her favor in terms of her metabolism, but here are some takeaways:
1) We bought an in-home glucose monitor this past winter, and it was clear from her post-meal and fasting readings that she had some glucose intolerance, which IMO led to the weight gain. I really believe that the Cymbalta caused glucose intolerance and that's the cause of weight gain (I am not a doctor but this is my theory). She also might have had some leaky gut going on as well (so she used some Dr Amy Myers probiotics and some "leaky gut" powder). She started taking berberine, as well as milk thistle/dandelion, but only for a couple of months, as berberine might be hard on the liver (you have to cycle off it and the milk thistle is to protect the liver). Later on I also gave her a multivitamin for thyroid support, as I also wondered if her lower levels of T3 were contributing to her mood and also weight issues.
2) She really reduced sugar and carbs, and also did some intermittent fasting where she wouldn't eat after 8, and then tried to take a walk or exercise in the morning before breakfast, allowing herself 12+ hrs before having her next meal. She is under 21, so she also drinks no alcohol. I have to imagine that helped, as well. Otherwise she had plenty of healthy calories, healthy fats, whole-grains, etc. She does not eat meat but enjoys fish and yogurt and nut butters and tempeh -- she was mindful of putting good calories into her body.
3) She did a lot of exercise, with activities like hiking, walking, running and toning exercises to promote lean muscle. She avoided heavy weights or anything that might bulk up her muscles too much. She got plenty of sleep.
4) The above all helped (she lost 7-8 of the pounds this way over the course of 3 months), but she also went on vacation at high elevation on vacation for a few weeks over the summer. No idea if this was the final piece that helped kick it all into place, but some studies do show that high elevation can contribute to weight loss. Hard to say if this helped her, but just sharing her whole story in case it helps.
Most importantly, she feels great in mind as well as body now!
Wishing the best to everyone out there. It can be done, so don't lose hope!
abdulhussein-a
13 Oct 2018
I know it’s been a while I wanted a update if it ended up becoming back to normal because this happening to me right now and the weight is still there after 3 months...
bertha_marie
21 Dec 2018
Hey pal, No I've never been able to get back to my original weight.
Marion Svihula
16 June 2018
I have been taking 60 mg of Cymbalta for about a year. It was prescribed for chronic pain and it helped quite a bit. About a month ago I went to 30 mg and now am on 20 mg. Weaning myself off because of what I've read. In one month I have gained 10 pounds. No change in eating habits. This is insanity. Was able to lose about 40 pounds while taking this drug, which I was very happy with because of arthritis and other knee problems. Now also having brain zaps, dizziness, and fatigue. The weight gain is the worst, though. I expected the other symptoms. Weight gain a total surprise, and not in a good way.
Josh92664
17 Nov 2017
I looked up this question since I went from 165 lbs to 175 lbs in weeks after I stopped taking cymbalta. I had no idea this was going to happen and can only hope this stops. I have become so unhappy with how I look and really have no idea what to do.
Degu1
14 Nov 2017
Age 68 was prescribed cymbalta for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia 11 months ago. . Weened off, which took over four months. As I neared the end of a horrible withdrawal( this is one nasty medication). I began gaining weight quickly. 10lbs. on top of the 4lbs. I gained while taking it. My problem is that the extra weight is agrevating a pre-existing condition. I have arthritis in both knees,(bone to bone) and the increase in weight has brought about intense pain and exercise is impossible. As well, I am getting very little sleep due to pain, which is not helping the situation.
DoriN52
23 June 2015
OMG... Yes... I have not changed a thing and I am gaining so much weight. I have gained 10 lbs. since I have been weened off it. I wasn't depressed before taking Cymbalta (I was prescribed Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia). Now I am so depressed from this weight gain and I am experiencing so many more side effects from the withdrawal of this medicine. I feel your frustration and I hope that they will take this medicine off the market! This is nasty stuff...
Harps80
9 Nov 2017
I could not agree more! I was put on duloxetine at the start of this year for depression and it has ruined me! It made me feel agitated, paranoid, having no empathy and so tired I had no energy for absolutely anything!
I have just weened myself off 60mg, it has not been easy! I started with a week on 30mg then a fortnight ish on about 15mg-10mg(i had to tip it out of the capsule) I constantly felt dizzy, nausea and unsafe in my job due to these feelings!
The other morning, I finished my night shift and drank over 3/4 of Jim Beams before breaking down completely! I cried non-stop, couldn't speak, let alone explain how I was feeling, to my partner!
Its now been a week since I last had it and 3 days since my emotional period and, dare I say it, I feel pretty good! I have been given a prescription for setraline which I am yet to pick up! I am quite dubious about taking any more anti depressants after taking this horrid medication so I'm going to see how i get on!
Doctors really need to explain to patients the full pros and cons of taking this drug and how hard and mentally painful it is coming off!!
Cassia21
9 May 2021
I hope it too! I gained weight, I got migraine, I have now high blood pressure, all due to this nasty Cymbalta. I took it for ten months only but that was enough to cause so many problems. I just can't lose the weight that I gained and I am still gaining weight. I don't know what to do anymore. Please, I appreciate any suggestion. Thank you!
cindy-59
10 May 2021
I gained weight while I was taking Cymbalta and during my taper too. I ended up gaining over 80 pounds and I’m only 5 feet tall! I found I started losing the weight around the end of my taper. I’m still losing weight but I’m trying not to lose it too fast because I’ve heard from many people that Cymbalta is stored in the fat cells so if you lose it too fast the withdrawals can be worse. I believe it too because that’s happened to me. Now I go for a short walk and I do a short exercise routine 5 days a week and the weight is coming off. I also drink lots of water. Sugar free Gatorade has been said to help also. Take care.
Delila
13 Jan 2015
Hi, the problem with drugs in this class is that they reduce your metabolism and increase your appetite. So even if you are not eating more than usual, you can gain wight. Usually these side effects hit while you are taking the medication but can also affect you in withdrawal. All you can do during this period, is to eat healthily and exercise to prevent weight gain. Hopefully this won't last for long and you will soon be back to normal...
balbanese
11 Jan 2015
Was the stopping Dr ordered? Withdrawals can linger for months if the wean down was not very gradual, effected by the dose and duration you were taking it.
LaurieShay
10 Jan 2015
Your one of the lucky ones who didn't gain weight while taking this medication. Unfortunately, you are gaining now. Give your body time to level out from stopping this med. If the weight gain continues at this pace, I would consult the doctor as it seems a bit fast.
Related topics
cymbalta, seroquel, depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, withdrawal, weight, female, drug
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