Weighing Beads for Tapering

What Is Bead Weighing?

Bead weighing is one way to measure smaller doses of Cymbalta/duloxetine during a hyperbolic taper.

This method uses a small digital scale to weigh the tiny beads inside duloxetine capsules instead of counting them one by one.

The goal is to make small, careful dose changes that may help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Weighing beads is typically recommended for those tapering from greater than 20 mg and requires microbeads, which are tiny beads, not larger pellets.

When Should You Weigh or Count Beads?

As your dose gets lower, weighing small amounts of beads becomes harder.

Even a scale that measures tiny weights has limits. At some point, it will no longer be accurate enough to measure your dose.

When this happens, you may need to switch to a compounding pharmacy or count beads yourself. We recommend bead counting to ensure accuracy. 

There is no single dose, such as 20 mg, when everyone must switch methods. It depends on your scale and the size of the beads in your capsules.

Learn more: Counting Beads for Tapering 

The Hyperbolic Taper Method

Cymbalta Hurts Worse (CHW) supports a slow, gradual taper to help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Our suggested starting approach is:

• Reduce by 5% or less of your current dose, not your original dose.
• Some people may need smaller reductions of 3% or less– pay attention to how you feel!  
• Stay at each new dose for at least 14 days before making another reduction.
• Wait longer between reductions if you are having withdrawal symptoms.

Important: As your dose gets lower, you may need smaller reductions and longer holds between them. Some people need to hold for many months between reductions. This is because even low doses of Cymbalta/duloxetine can still have a strong effect on the brain.

This approach is based on CHW’s years of peer-support experience. It is not a guarantee that withdrawal symptoms will be prevented.

The most important thing is to pay attention to how your body responds to each reduction. There is no need to rush. If you have questions, please make a post on Reddit at r/CymbaltaHurtsWorse or on Facebook Cymbalta Hurts Worse (Duloxetine) 2.0.

Why We Calculate an Average Bead Weight

Before starting a taper using the weighing method, it is important to find the average weight of the beads in your capsules.

Drug companies must follow strict quality rules, but some differences in bead weight can occur during manufacturing. Even capsules from the same manufacturer may contain slightly different weights of beads. 

We recommend weighing the beads from at least three capsules and finding their average weight. This gives you a more reliable starting point than using the weight from just one capsule.

Why Does This Matter?

• Average bead weight gives you a more precise starting point for your taper. 
• Small changes matter. During a hyperbolic taper, we make very small dose reductions, so careful measuring is important.
• Accuracy matters.

Example: How to Calculate Average Bead Weight

Weigh only the beads, not the empty capsule shells. 

Use three capsules of the same strength and manufacturer.

• Capsule 1 weighs 0.340 grams
• Capsule 2 weighs 0.345 grams 
• Capsule 3 weighs 0.350 grams

Step 1: Add the three weights together.  

0.340 + 0.345 + 0.350 = 1.035 grams

Step 2: Divide the total by 3 (the number of capsules).

1.035 ÷ 3 = 0.345 grams

The average bead weight in this example comes to 0.345 grams. This is an example of an average starting bead weight. 

This is the starting weight you would use for your taper calculations with this capsule strength and manufacturer.

Taking time to find a reliable starting average is an important first step in the weighing method.

Remember: The weight of the beads is not the same as the amount of medicine they contain. 

As your dose gets lower, even small measuring errors become more important. Your scale may eventually be unable to measure the beads accurately enough.

Consider using our Average Bead Weight and Tapering Calculator

Important Safety Information:

• Not all brands of Cymbalta/duloxetine contain beads suitable for this method.
• Check the type of beads in your capsules before choosing a tapering method.
• Never crush or chew delayed-release beads.

Tools That Might Help for Weighing

If you decide that bead weighing is appropriate, these are the tools used in CHW’s method:

• • Digital jewelry scale that measures to 0.001 grams
  • Small bowl or weighing tray to hold the beads
  • Fresh batteries for the scale
  • Small paper plate and scissors to make a pouring tray
  • Aluminum foil to make a holder for the empty capsule
  • Your prescribed Cymbalta/duloxetine capsules
  • Plain empty capsules, size 00 or 0, if appropriate for your medication
  • CHW’s weighing calculator or Excel spreadsheet

Choosing a Digital Scale

You need a scale that can display very small weights.

Look for a digital jewelry scale that reads to 0.001 grams.  (Available on Amazon) 

Some scales can weigh up to 20 grams, while others can weigh 50 or 100 grams.

CHW has used scales with a 20-gram maximum capacity for measuring small amounts of beads.

What to Look For

• A display that reads to 0.001 grams
• A way to calibrate the scale
• A small weighing tray
• Clear instructions
• Reliable readings at very low weights

In our testing, some low-cost scales did not respond well to very small changes in weight.

Always check that your scale gives steady, repeatable results before relying on it.

As the number of beads becomes very small, your scale may no longer be accurate enough for tapering. At that point, you will need to switch to bead counting. 

The Video Instructions:

You can view our bead weighing video on YouTube.

Visual Step-by-Step Instructions Below:  

Affordable Scale

Our favorite scale is the SmartWeigh GEM20.  When tested, it was accurate down to around 50 beads.  This appears to be the least expensive one that is adequate for our purposes.  

This goes by MANY different names on a site like Amazon.  It sells for $25-$50.  ALL scales that LOOK like this one are very likely to be exactly the same, just sold by different people.  

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Portable-Milligram-Jewellery-Calibration/dp/B0CWDJSYGH/ref=sr_1_4

This is not an affiliate link; we get no commission. 

Things change on Amazon, so you may just have to search for “GEM20” or “GEM 20”.  

The scale comes with two marginal batteries, so get some quality Energizer AA to replace them.  Fresh batteries are critical for proper function.  The bowl provided works well for the weighing.  We don’t use the tweezers.

Important:

• Use fresh batteries and
• Set your scale to read GRAMS.

Premium Scales

If you have more of a budget, these scales should also work well, as they have low maximum capacity and resolution to a claimed 0.001g:

US$75.02:  https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Multifunctional-Weighing-Milligram-Measurement/dp/B0CN5RBBZL/ref=sr_1_241

US$65.48: ..https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Kitchen-Jewelry-Weighing-Accuracy/dp/B0BTN4H66R/ref=sr_1_248

Please update us with your experience with all of these scales at the Facebook group.

THE SMALL BOWL

We use a small bowl that I found in the kitchen.  Anything similar will work.  This is the easiest step of the process!  

THE CAPSULES

Choosing the Right Empty Capsules

We recommend buying NEW, empty gelatin capsules because they are easier to open, fill, and handle than used capsules.

• Size 1 capsules work well for most people.

• Size 0 and Size 00 capsules are larger than Size 1 and may be easier to handle, especially if you have trouble working with small capsules.

• You can find these on Amazon by searching for “empty gelatin capsules.”

• You may be able to reuse your original pharmacy capsules, especially the larger 60 mg capsules. However, having new capsules available makes the process easier and is helpful if a capsule breaks.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT BUY ENTERIC-COATED CAPSULES.

Cymbalta/duloxetine beads already have a special coating that protects them from stomach acid. You do not need an additional enteric-coated capsule.

Buy regular, empty gelatin capsules instead.

PREPARATION

• Most scales that can measure milligrams display the weight in GRAMS with 4 digits, 0.000. Often sold as .0001 scales.  
• Set your scale to GRAMS!  Then make sure it is showing Grams. 
• Scales that have a maximum capacity of 20 grams or less will work the best.

CALIBRATE THE SCALE

• Turn on the scale. 
• Make sure your table is solid and does not jiggle. 
• We are weighing THOUSANDTHS of a gram, so the scale is very sensitive.
• Let the scale warm up a bit.
• Hold the Power button until it says CAL. 

It now says CAL, so let off the button. 

Wait a little bit, and it will display 10.000. 

That is the weight it is requesting to be placed on it.  Put one of the two weights on the scale.

In a few seconds, it will recognize that and request the second weight to be put on for a total of 20g. Place the second weight on top of the first and wait. Some scales have only one full 20-gram weight vs two 10-gram weights.

In a few seconds, it will show “PASS”.  If not, read your instructions and try again. 

Congratulations, you are ready to go!

BUILD the CAPSULE STAND–this is an optional step.

We use a piece of aluminum foil to hold the capsule bottom upright so I can pour into it. It is preferred to have the foil placed on a dark towel to catch stray beads. 

Take an empty capsule and form the foil around it.  This may take a few times to get it to stand up.

Just work the foil as best you can to get something similar.  Our first one was a crumpled mess, and it worked for a year. (This is NOT a necessary step, but can be helpful for some people) 

Getting your beads into the capsules.

• Some find using a glass funnel helpful (available on Amazon)
• Below is an easy DIY funnel

How to fold your DYI paper plate funnel:

Start with a paper plate.  Use a cheap one; the “grease-resistant” ones work best.  Too thick is hard to work with.

Cut off the crinkled part.

Fold it in half, and press down the fold with something hard.

Draw something like half a heart shape on it while folded:

Cut it out.  Does not have to be perfect at all.

Unfold it and pinch the center part on the top of the “heart”:

Pull it together, fold it at the center, and press it down to make this backstop for the beads.  This prevents them from rolling off the back! 

Should look something like this.  Does not have to be exact.

Now, cut off the very tip of the point, while folded.  This allows the beads to roll into the cap. 

Should look about like this: 

Congratulations, you have all the required tools. 

SETUP YOUR CALCULATOR

Go to the

CALCULATORS PAGE

Choose the Weighing Online Calculator or Excel Spreadsheet.  They both produce the same results.  Once fully populated, PRINT the results if online, as the online calculator will not retain your settings!

Weighing Process Recap:

• Turn on your scale and place the tray provided with the scale on the scale, and hit TARE.  Should show 0.000g.  Make sure you are in GRAMS mode.
• First, we need to get the average weight of a capsule of your current prescription by weighing the contents of three capsules.  We will add those measures and then divide by three to get the average for one cap.
• Note that the WEIGHT “grams” has NOTHING to do with the DOSAGE “milligrams”.  Two different things!  We will only be dealing with the WEIGHT in grams as we weigh.
• Clear a working area on a hard, stable table.  Assemble all the gear from above.  Take the clean small bowl and pour the contents of one of your three capsules into it.  Pour into the tray on the scale and note the weight in the calculator.
• Do this for the next three of your capsules and record their weights in the calculator.
• On the Spreadsheet, note that only the light green cells can be filled in.
• Select your taper rate, we suggest 5% is a good place to start.  DO NOT think you can push this process.  Starting too high only leads to wasted time in the end.
• Select your taper period, and we suggest 14 days.
• Once you have a calculator complete, print the first page or two and get ready to load.

DOING A BATCH

Note that in this example, we are doing 20mg capsules that are tiny.  If you are doing 30 or 60mg capsules, they will be larger.  When we did 60mg, we often reused the capsules from the prescription.  We did not need the empty caps, except in the beginning when I cracked a capsule or two, twisting them apart.  Once you get the hang of it, you won’t have an issue popping them open.

We already ran a few sheets, so this is typical of what you might see if you are starting a taper from 20mg.  Your numbers will vary from what you see here!

Our target today is 0.100g, which is 83% of the original dose.  I squeeze the caps with my fingernails to get a grip and then twist to break the seal.  You can see the indent.  On a 60mg cap, it is not so deep.

Once the cap is twisted open, pour all of the contents into the little bowl. 

This is the result of two weeks’ doses.  ALL of the contents of the caps is in the bowl. 

Now, set up an empty capsule bottom in the holder. 

We open all of them first, so they are ready.  The scale will timeout if you take too long, so we get everything ready up front.

The whole setup looks like this to get started. 

Then, we use the tweezers in my right hand to push beads into the tray on the scale.   

If we go over just a few thousandths (like 0.103 when we want 0.100), we will pick a few beads out with the tweezers.  If we are too far over, we will pour some back in the bowl.

This is the goal, 0.100 of weight. 

Remember, this weight HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DOSE.  The weight is measured in grams, the dose is in milligrams (mg).

Then I pour the beads into the pouring plate, held level or tilted back a bit.  They sit nicely there…

See!

Now, I pour the beads into the capsule, holding my finger over the top of the cap against the paper to prevent them from running over.  Only had one hand here, so I could take a picture. 

The glorious result: 

Place the top on the capsule and fell it click into place.

Voila!  One finished cap. 

These are the leftover beads from two weeks of doses. 

OTHER METHODS

Counting the beads you consume is another approach that is used.  Since this requires counting literally hundreds of tiny beads that have static, many find it very challenging. 

Some compounding pharmacies will provide the counting service.  Some people find a compounding pharmacy helpful, others do not.  

Make a post on our Facebook group with questions:   

Cymbalta Hurts Worse (Duloxetine) 2.0

NOTE ON LOW DOSAGES

SCALE ACCURACY

At very low doses of a few beads, maybe in the range of 50 or so, the scale will not have the accuracy to measure correctly.  At that point, you will have to start counting beads.  Since there will be very few beads, the task is not horrendous.

EFFECTS AT LOW DOSES

Cymbalta/duloxetine has a nature of being effective in small doses and losing effectiveness at higher dosages.  Note how the “Occupancy” (effectiveness) climbs really fast from 0 to 20mg in Dose, and slows from there.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-021-01285-w.pdf

This also shows how questionable it is for doctors to prescribe doses beyond 60mg, which is also not recommended by the maker.

This explains why small changes at the end of your taper, when you are at just milligrams or counting single beads, will have a great effect on your discontinuation symptoms.

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