An Introduction to Milnacipran Side Effects
Just like any medicine,
milnacipran hydrochloride (
Savella®) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with milnacipran. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of milnacipran side effects with you.)
Serious Side Effects of Milnacipran
Some milnacipran side effects are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. Although generally rare, some of these side effects may be common. These include but are not limited to:
- A rapid heart rate
- Chest pain or heart palpitations
- Seizures
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks
- Hostility or aggressiveness
- Engaging in unusual or dangerous activities
- Restlessness or inability to sit still
- Extreme elation or feelings of happiness that may switch back and forth with a depressed or sad mood
- Other unusual changes in behavior
- Shortness of breath
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Signs of liver problems, such as:
- Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Increased liver enzymes (found using a blood test)
- Signs of serotonin syndrome (a rare but dangerous problem associated with medications like milnacipran), such as:
- Signs of low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia), such as:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
