Milnacipran Dosage

The recommended dose of milnacipran for day one of fibromyalgia treatment is 12.5 mg once daily. For days two and three, the standard dosage is 12.5 mg twice daily; for days four and seven, the recommended dose is 25 mg twice daily; and for day seven and beyond, most people take 50 mg twice daily.

Milnacipran Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of milnacipran hydrochloride (Savella™) your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How you respond to milnacipran
  • Other medications you are taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Dosage of Milnacipran for Fibromyalgia

The standard recommended milnacipran dose is as follows:
 
  • Day 1 -- 12.5 mg once daily
  • Days 2 and 3 -- 12.5 mg twice daily
  • Days 4 through 7 -- 25 mg twice daily
  • Day 7 and beyond -- 50 mg twice daily.
     
If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase your dose up to 100 mg twice daily, if 50 mg twice daily is not sufficient to relieve your fibromyalgia symptoms. People with kidney disease (such as kidney failure) may need to take a lower dosage of milnacipran.
 
Do not stop taking milnacipran suddenly, as this could lead to withdrawal symptoms. If you need to stop taking the medication, be sure to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine a schedule for gradually decreasing your dosage.
 

General Information on Your Milnacipran Dose

Considerations for people taking milnacipran include the following:
 
  • This medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth, usually twice a day.
     
  • You can take milnacipran with food or on an empty stomach. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with a little food.
     
  • Most people start with a low milnacipran dose, and then the dosage is slowly increased. Be sure to follow your dosing instructions carefully.
     
  • Be sure to take this medication at the same times each day to keep an even level in your blood.
     
  • For milnacipran to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not stop taking this drug suddenly, as withdrawal symptoms could occur.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to dosing with milnacipran, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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