Savella, also known by its generic name Milnacipran, belongs to the same medication class as antidepressants but is not used for depression. It is used for chronic pain issues and general aches from fibromyalgia. It will start with a low dose and gradually increase to get to the target dosage your doctor recommends. This gradual increase is to get your body conditioned to the medication with a lower chance of side effects. You will also need to be tapered off the medication should you go off of it.
Savella Use
Savella is used for fibromyalgia’s pain, tenderness, sleep issues, tiredness, and stiffness. It is an SNRI, or selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It increases both serotonin and norepinephrine. This helps stops the brain’s pain signals.
Common Side Effects of Savella
Common side effects of using Savella include constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, weight loss, dry mouth, feeling of extreme facial warmth, facial redness, increased sweating, blurred vision, dizziness, and headache. Other side effects are itching, rash, trouble urinating, pain or swelling of the testicles (if male), decreased sex drive, decreased sexual ability, difficulty falling asleep, and difficulty staying asleep.
Serious Savella Side Effects
More serious side effects are hallucinations, seizures, unsteady walking, weakness, memory issues, concentration problems, confusion, and fainting. Other complications can be coma, fast pounding heartbeat, slow or stop in breathing, breathing difficulties, lack of energy, extreme tiredness, lack of appetite, pain in upper right of stomach. Lastly, there can be tiny red spots on skin, nosebleeds, bleeding or bruising, vomiting substance that is like coffee grounds, bloody vomit, red blood in stools, black or tarry stools, flu-like symptoms, and jaundice.
Dosage of Savella
Savella dosage is typically 100 milligrams a day, in two doses of 50 milligrams. It is tiered to where on day one the patient receives 12.5 milligrams. Days two to three they get 12.5 milligrams twice a day. Days four through seven is 25 milligrams twice a day. After seven days, it is 50 milligrams twice a day. Some patients may be on 200 milligrams a day, but this is the high end of the dosage spectrum.
Savella isn’t the best known medication for fibromyalgia. Elavil, Lyrica, and others have been front runners in the field of chronic pain management for the condition. However, for some, Savella offers another chance at a normal life when other medications are either not tolerated or unhelpful. Your doctor or healthcare provider will let you know if you are a good candidate for Savella.
Source: PubMed Health
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000495/
Drugs.com
http://www.drugs.com/pro/savella.html
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
