Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• 8...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2016

"For the last 8 months, Fetzima has worked very well (after the initial transition period from my last medication). Over the last 15 years, I have been on many effective anti-depressants, but after about 2-3 years, these medications start to become ineffective (Zoloft, Lexapro, Cymbalta, etc.). Started taking Fetzima 8 months ago, and the first month involved a lot of agitation/anger (very unlike me) and also having to adjust the dosage upward... now at 120. Since then, it has been a good experience. Feel centered and have energy. One very good side effect has been pain relief from my arthritis in my knees and back. I have dry mouth with this and every other anti-depressant I have taken. The drug is very expensive."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2015

"I am going to try a different A/D, as this is NOT working out. I started out taking 80 mg of Fetzima 3 months ago, and the doctor lowered my dose to 40 mg about 6 weeks ago because of anxiety. Fetzima has worked for my depression, but my anxiety is through the roof! I also sweat like a pig, and that causes my electrolytes to flush out. Then I start getting severe body cramps. One moment I feel hot as can be, then the next I am cold as ice. I have 'never' had side effects like this on any other A/D, and I am done with this!!"

• In...
• April 4, 2019

"I have been on meds throughout the years since I was around 18. I finally gave in and tried meds. Needless to say, it hasn't been successful. I've never had a positive experience. They work for some time and then quit, or don't work at all. My latest med provider had me take the genetic test to see what medications would metabolize correctly. Fetzima was listed as one of them. Needless to say, it has worked wonders. While I still have depression, and one antidepressant isn't enough, this one hasn't given me a lot of side effects that others have. I am on another one as a mood booster. Because of the known irritation side effect, my provider had me take the initial dosing for roughly a week before titrating up to 40 mg. I am now on 80 mg and doing well. I am glad I asked for this medication. I have gotten my energy back and not always wanting to be sleeping, not motivated, or other issues I faced when I'm not on a medication that works."

• Les...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2015

"I've been on the max dosage of 120 mg for 3 months now and feel more human than I have in years. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 rating is because I do have side effects that include: severe sweating, easy bruising, occasional aggressiveness (may just be my personality as I get it under control pretty quickly), my blood pressure (normally very low) has seen a changeable elevation, increased flatulence, and migraines linger longer (though I get them less often). While I would love to find a medication that has me feeling this human without the side effects, so far, this one has worked better than any of the others I've tried."

• Jad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2020

"I have been on Fetzima for at least 4 years. It worked extremely well for me. No side effects after the initial 8-week period. The last year I have been passing out when I stand too long, random racing pulse, unstable blood pressure. My PCP referred me to a cardiologist who diagnosed possible POTS. After going over my med list, he said it's probably the Fetzima as it's listed as a side effect. Geesh, who would have thought! So now no Fetzima, and I feel crappy, but I don't pass out. There is nothing anywhere on long-term side effects, so beware."

• 707...
• February 4, 2016

"Have major depressive disorder, PTSD, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain, high BP and cholesterol, low thyroid. Started taking Fetzima 20 mg for two days and then 40 mg daily for the past seven days. It stopped the traumatic thoughts at night but need to quit it due to so many awful side effects... slight nausea and light headaches the first few days, awful insomnia, very dry mouth, sore eyes and less clear vision, twitching in corner of eye, hot sweats switching to my whole body feeling cold, muscle cramps in legs, bad constipation. So sad because it was the only antidepressant that worked for the PTSD. It probably did raise my blood pressure, but I did not check... got bad headaches like I do when BP is up. Good luck, everyone."

• Hob...
• April 14, 2023

"Excellent, I’ve tried all the SNRIs, this is the best. Plus, it can have the side effects of constipation, which is excellent for me because I suffer from IBSD, so my episodes of diarrhea are much less and milder. No effect on my weight or appetite. No CNS effects like drowsiness or fogginess or anything. I am on 40 mg per day. I am a long-time sufferer of treatment-resistant depression. I hope this feedback is helpful."

• Asi...
• October 25, 2018

"Seriously - where do I begin? I switched after weaning down from Zoloft to Fetzima, it has been the most horrible experience in my life. The amount of EXTREME RAGE I felt. I had so much frustration and anger. I felt over things that were only minor inconveniences or annoyances before. It was the most horrifying experience. I snapped at everyone, said things I would never have said in a normal state of mind, and cried uncontrollably, especially after snapping at people and feeling extremely guilty and embarrassed. I couldn't think clearly, let alone get any work done. I stopped taking it after a little over a week. I'm so done with this. It's making me want to give up. Hope I can find something that will work... :( This med has left me feeling hopeless."

• Tir...
• January 14, 2016

"I have adult ADD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Had to switch docs (he moved), and the new one insisted I try Fetzima. I have been on it for a week. In addition to severe nausea and vomiting, my stomach is rigid. I have been having bursts of rage that have started to become directed inward. Thoughts of self-harm (though not ones I would act upon). Have had flashes of suicidal ideas and am sad. I wasn't sad at all before I took this drug-just anxious and couldn't focus. I have had serious problems with all antidepressants I have tried in the past. I'm reacting in a similar way, though it is less severe, and my anxiety (when I'm not angry) is marginally improved. Not enough benefit to outweigh thoughts of self-harm and suicide!"

• Doo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2020

"Some good results from Fetzima, but it made me incredibly aggressive and reckless. And I was talking and talking and talking all the time. Trying to pick fights with strangers. So, yeah, had to quit it."

• The...
• September 26, 2015

"I started taking Fetzima as an alternative to citalopram, as it was no longer effective for me. I immediately started feeling sick (queasy, lightheaded). My doctor told me those were withdrawal symptoms, but I still feel them weeks later. I quickly became irritable and have gotten worse and worse. I'm hot and sweaty most of the time, but when I'm cold, I also sweat. The irritable and constant crying have caused me to gain weight, as I'm eating all the time to try to feel better."

• Lil...
• April 10, 2016

"I've been on 20 mg for a month. My Dr. said I should start on a lower dose because of stomach issues I've had in the past. I've tried SSRIs, and I didn't like them. Wellbutrin was fine, but now I am trying this. My body feels energized in the morning, even if I had only five hours of sleep. I haven't noticed any changes to my mood, I still feel negative. My heart rate has gone up, I notice my resting heart rate is not as low as it used to be (I wear a Fitbit). Haven't had any weight gain, haven't had any libido changes, and my stomach hasn't hurt. So far, one month in and on a lower dose than the starting dose, I have had no negatives, but also no real positives either."

• Tif...
• May 18, 2017

"I've tried damn near every med you can think of. I have MDD, GAD, PTSD, ADHD. Wellbutrin stopped working after 3 years, and I don't do well on SSRIs (Fetzima is SNRI). So I said, everyone is built different, so trial and error/guinea pig it is. 20 mg once daily for 2 days, then up to 40 mg/day. Day 1 had completely 0 side effects. Day 2 nausea and vomiting lasted until day 5, which is when constipation began. BUT my depression is under control despite environmental factors I can't control. I am less emotional, moody, or irritable in general. Suicidal thoughts don't last as long as before. I'm not a zombie. No weight gain. It's good. Not great. 7/10 for me. Started 80 mg today, nauseous but will subside. I'm pretty stable. Give it a chance."

• nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2015

"On day 10 of Fetzima 40 mg after Lexapro stopped helping me, even though I still take it. So far, so good, it seems to be helping my mood. Hope it continues. No side effects that I notice. Going to be upped to 80 mg as long as my BP is okay. The struggle continues, won't stop till I find some kind of normality."

• Sou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2016

"I have changed my rating from 4 to 1. Upon recommendation of my counselor, I saw a psychiatrist to regulate my antidepressant medication. Thank the Lord!!! Psychiatrist switched me to another antidepressant that has been on the market for a long time. It is actually the first one I was ever prescribed, Zoloft. I'm into my 6th day off Fetzima, and I'm starting to feel like my old self again. Fetzima had me in a state of mental anguish. I wanted to harm myself. I was so sad, so sad, then rages, then shame over the ugliest behavior ever. I hate this medication."

• Ssf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2015

"I started with 20 mg and stayed on that for 1 month. I didn't see much of a change with my issues but was a tiny bit better. I went to 40 mg for 4 months and I felt some improvement, but I became depressed again. I have just started 80 mg last week. I was feeling angry and nervous and not sleeping at all for about 4 days. I'm on the 6th day now, and those side effects are almost gone. I'll update after a little more time goes by. But I am feeling a little more motivated and awake."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2018

"Today was day 5 of Fetzima, and although I was initially a fan, I no longer am one. I definitely felt an increase in energy my first 2 days on it. On day 3, I went back to my usual sleepy self, and I also started experiencing some of the side effects. Nausea, increased heart rate, weird anxiety (feeling on edge)... it wasn’t a very nice combo of problems to deal with, lol. I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow and coming off of this thing. I don’t think SNRIs work for someone like me who is super sensitive and a highly anxious person."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2016

"I've tried Zoloft, Prozac, Effexor, Viibryd, and now this. Started with 20s for two days before going to 40s. First three days, I was vomiting, nauseous, and itchy. When that subsided, the depression got way worse (which is huge considering how bad it was before). I cry and sleep way more. I feel suicidal and reckless. Calling my doc first thing Monday morning to change plans because this is not working."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2018

"I have struggled profoundly with severe depression for 40 years. I have tried 23 different anti-depressant drugs in multiple different combinations without luck. Last year, I underwent ECT (electric shock treatments). I felt better briefly. When the depression returned, I turned to Fetzima before trying the MAOIs. I am fortunate not to be experiencing the most serious side effects, although I may be having trouble with my eye due to the drug. I am depression-free for the first time in years and very grateful."

• New...
• April 30, 2016

"I just started on this new drug. I am very nervous about the side effects, as many are listed.... But I've tried so many different medications, I have to give this one a try!! I was taking Pristiq but had a reaction from the sun (even with sunscreen), so took myself off. I enjoy sitting in the sun and was on vacation. On my second day of taking Fetzima, no side effects other than my heart feels like it's pounding a bit, but nothing that bothers me too much. I really hope this medication works for me. Stay tuned!!"

• Reb...
• April 10, 2017

"This is the second time I have taken Fetzima ER and have been on it for 9 months. I quit the first time due to not being able to afford it. I have MDD, anxiety disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and BPD. I take the 40 mg a day. At first, when I started Fetzima, I was happy, almost euphoric, and my depression and most of my anxiety completely disappeared. Recently, within the past couple of months, my rage has returned, I'm easily agitated and highly irritable, I have had to take my Klonopin daily for extreme anxiety, my personality has changed, and my depression has gotten much worse to the point where I cry several times a day and feel hopeless. I'm not sure whether I need to decrease or increase or try something else at this point."

• sou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2016

"I believe this medicine is making me more agitated. I am in pain as I am waiting to have knee replacement in a month, but I did not act this way with my first knee pain which led to knee replacement. I am acting so extremely different, crying, cussing, being ashamed, sharply irritated, over and over. I say and think the ugliest things, then I'll cry over a commercial or something out of the blue. I feel like I'm going crazy. I believe part of this is due to my doctor instructing me to abruptly stop taking Cymbalta 30 (was low level because I have increased liver enzymes) to Fetzima 40. No tapering down from Cymbalta or ramping up on Fetzima. I have taken Cymbalta for years. Could this be it? If so, when will it end."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2020

"Absolutely awful. Took it for 5 days and became a complete rage monster, just like the other reviewers. I hope you can all find something that works for you, whatever that ends up being (even if it's this!) and remember: many things exist that you can't see right now, and a purpose for living is no different. Good luck, mental health warriors!"

• Nic...
• January 29, 2016

"Started taking 60 mg in the morning for 9 days and then increased the dosage to 80 mg for major depression along with anxiety. The main effects I felt were extreme agitation, irritation, and anger. It was next to impossible to concentrate on anything. My body and brain were very restless. Realizing that antidepressants take some time before they reach full effect, I tried my best to push myself to stay on it to see if I experienced any improvements. I didn’t. So, after 5 weeks, I stopped taking it."

• Dev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2017

"I have taken Fetzima for 16 months, and I have had mostly ups and some downs. The ups: Fetzima has helped my social anxiety and with feeling worthless. Before Fetzima, anytime I would get around a lot of people, it was like I went into a brain fog and couldn't think. After Fetzima, the best way I can describe it is, I can feel my anxiety starting and the feeling of it building up, but then it stops; it doesn't develop into wanting to retreat and be alone. I feel like I can do things that I mentally couldn't before Fetzima. The downs: there have been times it seemed like it stopped working, as long as a month at a time. Early on, I got nauseous, which lasted about a year. I take Adderall too, and I realized what time of day I take both matters as well."