levomilnacipran

What is the most important information I should know about levomilnacipran?

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.

Do not stop using levomilnacipran without first asking your doctor.

What is levomilnacipran?

Levomilnacipran is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SNRI).

Levomilnacipran is used to treat major depressive disorder.

A similar medicine called milnacipran (Savella) is used to treat a chronic pain disorder called fibromyalgia. Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) should not be used to treat fibromyalgia.

Levomilnacipran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levomilnacipran?

Do not use levomilnacipran within 7 days before or 14 days after you have taken an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.

Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with levomilnacipran could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• glaucoma;
• heart problems, high blood pressure;
• a stroke;
• bleeding problems;
• urination problems;
• sexual problems;
• kidney disease;
• a seizure;
• low levels of sodium in your blood;
• bipolar disorder (manic depression);
• if there is a history of depression, manic behavior, or suicide in your family; or
• if you drink alcohol.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop levomilnacipran without asking your doctor.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of levomilnacipran on the baby.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if your baby is agitated or irritable and has feeding problems or trouble gaining weight.

How should I take levomilnacipran?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Your blood pressure and heart rate will need to be checked often.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.

Do not stop using levomilnacipran suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking levomilnacipran?

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with levomilnacipran may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

What are the possible side effects of levomilnacipran?

Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, eye redness;
• painful or difficult urination;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• seizure (convulsions);
• manic episodes --racing thoughts, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, risk-taking behavior, being agitated or talkative; or
• low sodium level --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• irregular heartbeats;
• sweating; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect levomilnacipran?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• any other antidepressant;
• sibutramine;
• St. John's wort;
• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
• diet pills, stimulants, or medicine to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall or Ritalin;
• pain medication --fentanyl, tramadol;
• medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental illness --buspirone, lithium, and many others; or
• migraine headache medicine --sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect levomilnacipran, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about levomilnacipran.