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In this Article

• What is milnacipran (Savella)?
• What are the possible side effects of milnacipran (Savella)?
• What is the most important information I should know about milnacipran (Savella)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking milnacipran (Savella)?
• How should I take milnacipran (Savella)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Savella)?
• What happens if I overdose (Savella)?
• What should I avoid while taking milnacipran (Savella)?
• What other drugs will affect milnacipran (Savella)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking milnacipran (Savella)?

Do not use milnacipran together with thioridazine (Mellaril), or an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam). Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with milnacipran. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take milnacipran. After you stop taking milnacipran, you must wait at least 5 days before you start taking an MAOI.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to milnacipran, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take milnacipran:

• liver or kidney disease;
• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorder;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• glaucoma;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• bipolar disorder (manic depression);
• a history of heavy alcohol use;
• a history of suicidal thoughts or actions; or
• if you are allergic to aspirin or yellow food dye.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether milnacipran is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether milnacipran passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.

Do not give milnacipran to anyone younger than 17 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take milnacipran (Savella)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.

You may take medication with or without food. Take the medicine with food if it upsets your stomach.

Do not stop using milnacipran suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, feeling irritable, confusion, headache, ringing in your ears, and sleep problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using milnacipran.

Store milnacipran at room temperature away from moisture and heat.