Levomilnacipran

Levomilnacipran is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Levomilnacipran is used to treat major depressive disorder.

A similar medicine, milnacipran (Savella), is used for a chronic pain condition known as fibromyalgia. Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) should not be used to treat fibromyalgia.

Levomilnacipran may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

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.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

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.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

People with depression or mental illness may think about suicide. Some young people may have more thoughts about suicide when they first start taking a medicine for depression. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any sudden changes in your mood or behavior, or if you have thoughts about suicide.

Do not stop using levomilnacipran without talking to your doctor first.

You should not use levomilnacipran if you are allergic to levomilnacipran or milnacipran (Savella).

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.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor right away if you notice new or sudden changes in your mood or behavior, including new or worsening 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.

Levomilnacipran may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• 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.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of levomilnacipran 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.

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day for 2 days, then increase to 40 mg orally once a dayMaintenance dose: 40 to 120 mg orally once a dayMaximum dose: 120 mg/dayComments:-The dose may be increased in increments of 40 mg at intervals of 2 or more days based on tolerability and efficacy.-Efficacy was established in trials lasting 5 weeks.Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

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

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

• Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how levomilnacipran will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

• 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.

• Avoid drinking alcohol. It may raise your blood levels of levomilnacipran.

Using levomilnacipran with other medications that cause drowsiness can increase this effect. Consult your doctor before taking opioid pain relievers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, or medications for anxiety or seizures.

Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, 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 medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall or Ritalin;
• pain medications--fentanyl, tramadol;
• medications for anxiety, mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental illness--buspirone, lithium, and many others; or
• migraine headache medications--sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others.

This list is not exhaustive. Other medications may interact with levomilnacipran, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are included here.