What is Savella?
Savella is a prescription medicine used to treat fibromyalgia. For the treatment of fibromyalgia, Savella (Milnacipran) is the first-choice medication. You can take these tablets with or without food but must follow a strict schedule, which can be perplexing in the first month.
Savella Uses
It is used to treat pain caused by fibromyalgia, which affects muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissue support. This medicine is a Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) that helps to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters).
- Read your pharmacist’s medication guide before using Milnacipran whenever you get a refill. Consult your doctor.
- Take this medicine orally with or without food, usually two times a day or as directed by your doctor. If you have nausea, it may help you to take this medicine with your food.
- The dosage is based on your health condition, medical history, and response to your treatment.
- Your doctor may prescribe you a low dose to reduce your risk of side effects and gradually increase the dose.
- If you suddenly stop using this medicine, you might have symptoms of withdrawal (such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings similar to electric shock).
- Your doctor might lower your dosages slowly to help prevent withdrawal. Withdrawal is more likely if you have been using Milnacipran for a long time or at high doses.
Savella (Milnacipran) Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Savella are:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Hot flush
- Increased sweating
- Vomiting
- Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Heart rate increased
- Dry mouth
- High blood pressure
- Hypertension
- Irritation
- Rashes
- Vomit
- Lightheadedness
Precautions to Take Before Using Savella:
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Savella (Milnacipran) or Levomilnacipran or if you have any other allergies before taking Milnacipran.
- This product might have a few inactive ingredients or substances that might cause serious allergic reactions or other problems.
- Before using this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, such as kidney disease, liver disease, personal or family history of glaucoma, psychiatric disorders (such as bipolar or manic-depressive disorder), suicide attempts, high blood pressure, and heart problems.
- Older adults may be at higher risk of mineral imbalance (low sodium levels in the blood) while taking this medicine, especially if they are also taking water pills (diuretics) with this medicine.
- This medicine is passed on to breast milk. So, before breastfeeding, please consult your doctor and check with them.
Interactions of Using Savella with Other Medications
Using Savella with other drugs can make you sleepy and can make this effect worse. Ask your doctor before taking opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or an anxiety or seizure medication.
Other medications might interact with Milnacipran, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicines you are taking.
Dosage of Savella
Your doctor will let you know about the dosage of Savella drug. The dosage depends on the age, health condition, other medications used, and other factors. Hence, we suggest taking the dosage mentioned by the doctor in the prescription.
Overdose
If you have taken an overdose of a medication accidentally, then talk with your doctor immediately to avoid any emergency. Symptoms of a medication can be dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and vomiting.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take any of the doses, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next pill.
Storage of Savella Tablets
- Store this medicine away from light, heat, and moisture, and keep it at room temperature.
- Keep out of kids.
Savella vs Cymbalta
| Savella | Cymbalta |
|---|---|
| Savella treats fibromyalgia. | Cymbalta Improves mood and relieves certain types of pain. |
| It is used to treat pain caused by fibromyalgia, which affects muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissue support. | Cymbalta is used for treating depression, anxiety, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain, urinary incontinence (women) |
| Since Savella (milnacipran) is only available as a brand name, the copay can be very high. | Available as a generic. |
