Increased alcohol use on Cymbalta

Lord have mercy . . .

6 years ago, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Prior to the diagnosis, I had been a regular, but relatively light smoker. Of course, I quit smoking when my cancer was diagnosed. I had been a non-problem (casual) drinker for 30 years prior to the diagnosis.

At the time I was diagnosed (and as my wife and I have discussed these issues a lot since my encounter with Cymbalta), we had had a six-pack of beer in our refrigerator for more than a year (in case a guest wanted one). That's the level of my drinking, prior to Cymbalta.

After organ removal and horrid chemo, I developed neuropathy. My physician prescribed Cymbalta to treat the neuropathy.

Then, all hell broke loose.

I went from nothing to a case of beer or a quart of hard liquor, PER DAY. I could drink steadily for 24 hours straight. I drank the wine we had purchased for cooking.

I couldn't stop, but even worse, I didn't want to stop. Worse yet, as it is with many people, I began smoking again, but "only when I drank" (which was constantly).

I never felt the alcohol. I believed that I was just "celebrating my survival," and that my drinking was not affecting my behavior or relationships.

I was totally out of control.

This situation persisted for close to 3 years.

When she had finally had enough, my wife contacted my physician and told them about my drinking, and that something was really wrong. My doctor dropped me.

Flat out dropped me as a patient.

The person who prescribed Cymbalta FOR OFF-LABEL USE, dropped me because I had become a rabid alcoholic.

I immediately researched compulsive drinking/alcohol cravings and Cymbalta (one of two drugs I was on at the time), on the internet, and, lo and behold, I found this comment thread and others like it.

My next doctor scoffed at the idea that Cymbalta had led to my condition.

Okaaaayyyy . . . so this was just me deciding to go crazy on alcohol.

Right.

I cold turkied the Cymbalta, and gradually (over another 2+ years), the compulsive drinking went away.

Currently, I could probably tolerate 3 drinks, if I even wanted to do that, but I'd need a long nap, immediately. No cravings, no compulsion, no tolerance.

As a result of my experience I have also learned that the medical/pharmaceutical industry protects itself better than they serve their patients.

I can't wait until there's incontrovertible proof that Cymbalta, in some cases, can cause what I would call 'Sudden Onset Alcoholism'.

Patient Beware.

WOW ! I just stubbled across this and after reading all of your comments I am sitting here wondering why my Dr put me on Cymbalta if when I went and saw her and told her I drank every single night why on earth would she put me on this medication? NOT TO MENTION also at the same time prescribing me TOPAMAX as well to help me quit drinking ?? I am baffled and really don't know what to think right now. Can someone tell me why a Dr would prescribe me these two medications if I told the Dr that I drank every day ? Thanks ! 

I have been on Cymbalta for just over a year now. During the same period I have been concerned about my drinking, getting drunk really quickly, blackouts and suicidal thoughts. (Especially when I drink or just after) Not once have I questioned the meds. I blamed the pandemic, feeling isolated, etc etc. It has been getting worse over the past few weeks and after some really scary encounters I started considering going to AA. Coming across these posts had me in tears as everything suddenly makes so much sense. I am starting to taper off the meds now.

I commented earlier in this thread.

Once I came off of Cymbalta (prescribed for neuropathy), I didn't crave alcohol, but I do still drink beer, occasionally. I've been off of. the drug for 4 years or so, and I have noticed that my tolerance is still high (much higher than it ever was prior to Cymbalta).

The really galling part of this experience is that no one but my wife went through this experience with me.

Doctors, family, and friends don't want to hear it. It seems they'd rather chalk it up to a personality defect or a moral failure.

Other than the folks commenting here and occasionally on other Cymbalta/SSRI/etc., sites, no one wants to believe that the drug was responsible (had I said this to anyone other than those posting here, or my wife, the feedback is that it couldn't have been the drug. I get a lot of side-eye looks when I try to describe the experience).

Anyway, this drug is horrible for many people. It's nice to know that there are other people who, unfortunately, have shared the experience.

Thank you all for doing enough research to find this website, and for having the thoughtfulness to share your experiences.

"you don't even realize you are out of control.."

That is the worst part.

I see alot on here that people are blaming Cymbalta for their increased alcohol intake, and I get it. But I think from my standpoint, I need to be cognizant enough that this could be an issue and just not drink. The mixture is horrible for your physical and mental well being.

I just had a really terrible blackout this weekend and I dont blame the cymbalta. I blame myself for not realizing that I need to stop drinking, especially since I take cymbalta. Hood luck to you all.

I've known a few people with diagnosed bipolar disorder and for most of them, alcohol was an absolute necessity to help them calm down, especially in the evenings. I almost wonder if part of what is going on could have to do with a sort of hypomania being triggered by the drug, cymbalta, especially when it is prescribed off-label or to someone who thinks they have simple depression but maybe a lot of us with depression also have unrecognized hypomania-type episodes that doctors aren't as good at diagnosing . Imo both alcohol and cymbalta ruin relationships.