Milnacipran

• Chronic pain caused by Fibromyalgia (that affects the muscles, tendons, ligaments and supporting tissues)
• Depression

When should one not use Milnacipran

• It is advisable to avoid taking Milnacipran in:
• If you are allergic to this medicine
• Child below 18 yrs of age
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease, high BP
• Blood cell disorder e.g. sickle cell or haemophilia
• Glaucoma
• Low sodium levels in the body
• Problems in urination
• Bipolar disorder
• Liver disorder
• Convulsions or epilepsy

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Increased sweating
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• High blood pressure
• Serious side effects:
• Allergic symptoms - itching, hives, rash, swelling of lips, face, etc.
• Liver complaints – stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision
• Convulsion
• Easy bruising, bleeding
• Manic episodes – increased energy, extreme happiness, talkative etc.
• High serotonin signs - hallucination, fever, agitation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, etc.
• Low sodium signs – headache, confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, severe weakness, etc.
• High BP – severe headache, chest pain, breathlessness, irregular heartbeats, nosebleed, etc.

Other General Warnings

• You notice abrupt mood changes or develop suicidal thoughts
• You have any liver, kidney or heart problems
• You have any psychiatric conditions or you're on a medication for that

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, medicine for anxiety, depression, fits, etc.
• Certain medicine, when taken along with Milnacipran, can cause Serotonin syndrome – e.g., Medicine for Parkinson’s disease, migraine, ADHD, etc.
• Blood thinners e.g., Warfarin

Interactions with food items

Overdose

• The symptoms of overdose can be – slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing, etc.
• Seek medical emergency help in case of overdose

Missed a Dose