Savella affects certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. An abnormality in these chemicals is thought to be related to fibromyalgia. Savella is not used to treat depression but how it works in the body is similar to how some antidepressants work.
Savella is used to treat a chronic pain disorder called fibromyalgia.
Savella may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Savella
Do not take Savella together with thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take Savella. After you stop taking Savella, you must wait at least 5 days before you start taking an MAOI.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking Savella, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Savella. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to your liver.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Savella. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
Savella can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Before taking Savella
Do not use Savella 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 Savella. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take Savella. After you stop taking Savella, 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 certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take Savella, tell your doctor if you have:
* 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 Savella, 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 Savella 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 Savella 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 Savella to anyone younger than 17 years old without the advice of a doctor.