LEVOMILNACIPRAN - ORAL

LEVOMILNACIPRAN - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (LEE-voe-mil-NA-si-pran)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Fetzima

GENERIC NAME(S): levomilnacipran HCl

Uses

USES: Levomilnacipran is used to treat depression. It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain. Levomilnacipran belongs to a class of drugs known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It may improve your mood, sleep, and appetite and may help restore your interest in daily living.


How to use LEVOMILNACIPRAN - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking levomilnacipran and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not open, crush or chew the capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. It may take several months before you get the full benefit of this drug. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings similar to electric shock. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Constipation, vomiting, increased sweating, dizziness, or nose bleeds may occur. Males may also have trouble getting/keeping an erection. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: pounding heartbeat, signs of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as black/bloody stools, vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, dizziness), easy bleeding/bruising, problems beginning the flow of urine, painful/difficult urination, signs of low level of sodium in the blood (such as nausea, extreme drowsiness, mental/mood changes). Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures, eye pain/swelling/redness, widened pupils, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night, blurred vision). This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking levomilnacipran, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to milnacipran; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type), personal or family history of a certain mental/mood disorder (bipolar disorder), personal or family history of suicide attempts, high blood pressure, heart problems (such as chest pain, heart attack, fast/irregular heartbeat), poor blood flow to the brain, urinary retention or problems urinating (such as enlarged prostate), seizures, mineral imbalance (low level of sodium in the blood). This drug may make you dizzy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be at greater risk for a certain mineral imbalance (low level of sodium in the blood) while using this drug, especially if they are taking "water pills" (diuretics). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may rarely develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell the doctor promptly. Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as depression) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: diuretics/"water pills" (such as furosemide), other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, "blood thinners" such as warfarin/dabigatran). Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with this medication. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs. Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Do not take any MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and 7 days after treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication. Levomilnacipran is very similar to milnacipran. Do not use medications containing milnacipran while using levomilnacipran.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Images

FETZIMA 20-40 MG TITRATION PAK

color
multi-color (2)
shape
oblong
imprint
FL, 20 or 40
FETZIMA ER 120 MG CAPSULE

color
pink
shape
oblong
imprint
FL, 120
FETZIMA ER 20 MG CAPSULE

color
yellow
shape
oblong
imprint
FL, 20
FETZIMA ER 40 MG CAPSULE

color
yellow
shape
oblong
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FL, 40
FETZIMA ER 80 MG CAPSULE

color
pink
shape
oblong
imprint
FL, 80

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Faq for LEVOMILNACIPRAN - ORAL

Levomilnacipran oral is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Levomilnacipran oral belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that help improve mood and reduce depression symptoms.

The common side effects of Levomilnacipran oral include nausea, constipation, dry mouth, sweating, increased heart rate, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. However, not everyone experiences these side effects.

The full effects of Levomilnacipran oral may not be seen for several weeks. It is important to continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if you do not feel immediate improvement.

It is essential to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications (prescription and over-the-counter), herbal supplements, and vitamins you are taking before starting Levomilnacipran oral. Certain medications may interact with Levomilnacipran oral, potentially increasing the risk of side effects or reducing its effectiveness.

Levomilnacipran oral is not considered addictive. It does not cause physical dependence or drug-seeking behavior typically associated with addictive substances.

The use of Levomilnacipran oral during pregnancy should be discussed with a healthcare provider. It may have risks and benefits that need to be carefully evaluated before use.

Levomilnacipran oral passes into breast milk, so it is recommended to discuss the potential risks and benefits with a healthcare provider. They can help determine if it is appropriate to continue breastfeeding or if an alternative medication should be considered.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one.


Warning

WARNING: Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication (especially for people younger than 25), even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition. Tell the doctor right away if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.