Last night, a facebook friend shared a status from one of her friends saying there was a shortage of Cymbalta, or Duloxetine, in Australia. And by shortage I mean absolutely none left until December. Apparently this woman was not made aware until she went to the chemist to fill her script and was told they were all out. And this was a problem because she had waited until she was completely out before going to get more.
(Medicated friends – never ever do this. I don’t as a rule.)
For those not in the know Cymbalta belongs to the unconventional class of antidepressants known as the serotonin – norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs) For those of us with mental illnesses it is used for depression and anxiety but is also used to treat chronic pain.
This drug is not one of the cocktail that I take – a doctor that I don’t normally see considered putting me on it a couple of years ago but we mutually came to the conclusion that it wasn’t the best fit. But being part of the mental health community naturally I take interest to such a crisis that may affect other spoonies that I know so here we are.
I couldn’t actually find any media coverage of this shortage – amazing! I bet if we had a warfarin shortage or a chemo drug the media would be all over that (insert eye roll emoji) the truth is I couldn’t find any data that indicates how many people in Australia this actually affects, so I don’t know the magnitude of the problem.
So I turned to someone who might know – my dad. He’s a GP, not a psychiatrist but manages quite a few patients on Cymbalta.
Unlike the woman on facebook, he has been aware of the shortage for a few weeks and has been trying to get his patients onto alternatives. Cymbalta comes in two strengths, and he’s not sure if both are out.
So if this affects you, what should you do?
Do NOT go cold turkey, says dad. Ring your GP and your psychiatrist and try to get in asap. If you’re thinking, yeah right as if I can get a quick appointment with a psychiatrist you might be surprised what they might do for you in a dire situation. My psychiatrist’s receptionist told me she doesn’t do emergency appointments but when I rang her directly and told her I hadn’t slept for four days she got me in that day.
So if this affects you, good luck. I hope you find a good alternative, and withdrawal isn’t too difficult.
Mac
My Ordered Disorder 
Thanks Mac. I am a GP and only found out today, and only because someone on Facebook wrote about it. Grrrr.
how bizarre is it. Hope this never happens to one of my meds
My Dr didn’t know. I think I was the one who first posted on fb
I only found out last week. I to posted this on mhanas cymbaulta survivor group on Facebook .. This woman is amazing the work she does support and research and discussion groups, she has been a god send.
My chemist sent out all ofver aus and managed 28 60 mg .scary stuff,why went we told,my side effects basically dismissed or Band-Aids of other meds.
It is shocking Claire, the medical community truly dropped the ball on this one and you guys have to pay the price
I, too, found out about the duloxetine (Cymbalta) shortage at the chemist when I was out of stock. I am 68, diagnosed with Atrial Fibrilation, & have been taking it for many years, with no idea of where to go for a replacement drug. I am feeling woozy, so I will stop now, but I do enjoy your writing.
Susan.
Thanks susan, I hope you find a decent alternative
I went off Cymbalta years ago, but let me tell you it is NOT an easy drug to come down from. And in my case, there was no alternate medications to take. If I’d still have been taking it now during the shortage, something really bad would probably happen.
I’ve heard that about Cymbalta
Good thing you don’t need it now
Hi, like all the above I only found out when I went to have hubby’s script filled. Took 6 phone calls before a call to a locum service gave us a script for 1 box of 30mg (1/2 his usual dosage). Can’t get an appointment or even through to the office, over public holiday period. I tried website for Gvt tga to be unable to access it.
Chemists should not have to be trying to stockpile stock to cover for shortages, nor dealing with stress patients and carers. I have no idea what the answer is, but with vital meds like this, there should be one readily accessible.
Absolutely Meredith, I’m sorry you’ve had such a stressful time. I’m trying to figure out who’s responsible
It pays to stay with one Chemist for all meds. Received a phone call last evening to say a supply had been delivered to them and that it was ready to be collected by me. Super service from them, but the whole situation shoulod not have got to the stage it did. 🙂
That’s great! Agree, they need to stay on top of it
Since November gone cold turkey.