What is Levomilnacipran?
Levomilnacipran (SNRI) is a serotonin- and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition antidepressant.Levomilnacipran treats major depression disorders.A similar medicine, milnacipran( Savella), is used to treat fibromyalgia. Levomilnacipran Fetzima should not be used for fibromyalgia.Levomilnacipran can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Levomilnacipran
If you experience any of the following: hives, rash, or skin rashes; difficulty breathing; swelling in your face, lips, or throat; or difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical attention.Tell your doctor if there are any sudden or new changes in your mood or behavior. This includes new or worse depressive or anxious symptoms, panic attacks, and trouble sleeping.
Levomilnacipran may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Eye redness, blurred vision, or tunnel vision
- Urination that is painful or difficult
- Easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or purple or red patches under the skin
- If you feel your heart pounding or your chest fluttering, then this is a sign that it's time to seek medical attention.
- Seizure (convulsions)
- Manic episodes: racing thoughts, increased energy and decreased sleep needs, risk-taking behaviour, agitation, or talkativeness;
- Low sodium levels: headache; confusion; slurred words; severe weakness; nausea. Loss of coordination.
In older adults, serious side effects are more likely to occur.
Serotonin syndrome symptoms include: hallucinations and agitation; fever, sweating, or shivering; rapid heartbeat; muscle stiffness or twitching; and loss of coordination.
Levomilnacipran side effects may include:
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation;
- Heartbeats irregular;
- Sweating;
- Impotence or difficulty having an orgasm are all symptoms of decreased sexual drive.
There may be other side effects.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Suicidal thoughts can occur in people with mental illness or depression. When first taking depression medication, some young people experience increased suicidal feelings. If you notice any sudden changes in your mood, behaviour, or thoughts of suicide, tell your doctor immediately.Levomilnacipran should not be stopped without consulting your doctor.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to milnacipran, levomilnacipran, or both (Savella), then levomilnacipran should be avoided.Levomilnacipran should not be taken within seven days of taking an MAO inhibitor or fourteen days afterward. Harmful drug interactions may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.Inform your doctor if other medications are being used for migraine headaches or serious infections. A serious condition known as serotonin syndrome can be caused by an interaction with levomilnacipran.
Inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Glaucoma;
- Heart problems high blood pressure
- A stroke;
- Bleeding problems
- Urination problems
- Sexual problems
- Kidney disease
- A seizure;
- Low levels of sodium in the blood
- Bipolar disorder
- If there is a family history of depression, manic behaviour, or suicide,
- If you are a heavy drinker of alcohol,
Suicidal thoughts can occur in people with mental illness or depression. When first taking depression medication, some young people experience increased suicidal feelings. Be aware of any changes in your mood or symptoms. Families or carers can also be alert to sudden changes in behaviour.This medicine can harm your baby during pregnancy, but it may also be harmful to you. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping levomilnacipran.You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to monitor the effects of levomilnacipran.Tell your doctor, if you are breastfeeding your baby, if he or she is agitated and irritable or has difficulty eating or gaining weight.No one under the age of 18 is allowed to use this product.
How to take Levomilnacipran?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. Take the medicine exactly as directed.Take your medicine every day at the same time, with or without eating.The capsule should not be opened, crushed, chewed or broken.You will need to check your blood pressure and heart rate often.If you notice any changes in your sexual function (such as a loss of interest in sex or difficulty having an orgasm) or (for men) any problems with erections, ejaculation, or both, tell your doctor. Certain sexual problems are treatable.If you suddenly stop taking levomilnacipran, you may experience unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, or tingling). Before stopping the medication, consult your doctor.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for depression:
Initial dose: orally, 20 mg once daily for two days. Then increase the dosage to 40 mg once daily.
Maintenance dose: 40–120 mg orally, once daily.
Maximum dose: 120 mg/day
Comments:
The dose can be increased by increments of up to 40 mg every 2 days or longer, depending on the effectiveness and tolerance.
In trials lasting five weeks, the efficacy of the drug was determined.
Use: Treatment for major depression disorder (MDD).
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.
What should be avoided?
Levomilnacipran can affect your reactions. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are sure of how they will affect you. You may be unable to react.Before taking NSAIDs such as Advil, ibuprofen, or naproxen (or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs), consult your doctor. Using an NSAID along with levomilnacipran can cause you to bleed or bruise easily.Avoid alcohol. Levomilnacipran levels may be raised by alcohol.
Interaction with other drug
Levomilnacipran can make you more drowsy when taken with other drugs. Before taking an opioid, a sleeping tablet, a muscle-relaxing medication, or medicine to treat anxiety or seizures, consult your doctor.
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Any other antidepressant
- Sibutramine;
- John's Wort;
- Tryptophan
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- A blood thinner (Warfarin Coumadin Jantoven)
- Diet pills, stimulants, or medicines to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as Adderall, Ritalin,
- Pain medication—fentanyl, tramadol;
- Medicines to treat mental illness, anxiety, mood disorders, or thought disorders include lithium and many others.
- Migraine headache medicine—sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others.
This list is incomplete. Levomilnacipran may interact with other drugs, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions with other drugs.
