Milnacipran Disease Interactions

Postmarketing studies have reported that duloxetine and some other SNRIs like milnacipran may aggravate preexisting liver disease. The use of duloxetine delayed-release and milnacipran should be avoided in patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.

Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

The clearance of SNRI antidepressants is decreased in subjects with renal impairment. SNRIs should be used with caution in this group of patients and a dose adjustment is recommended in those with moderate and severe renal impairment. The use of SNRIs is not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease.

SNRI antidepressants cause pupillary dilation that may trigger an angle closure attack in patients with anatomically narrow angle without iridectomy.

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SNRIs) have been associated with sustained increases in blood pressure. Therapy with SNRI antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting hypertension. Blood pressure should be assessed prior to initiating treatment and monitored regularly. The dose should be reduced or discontinued if necessary.

Treatment with SNRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.

Therapy with SNRI antidepressants can cause activation of mania and hypomania and should be used with caution in patients with personal or family history of mania, hypomania, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.

SNRI antidepressants may trigger seizures and should be administered with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.

SNRI antidepressants have a noradrenergic effect and can affect urethral resistance. Caution should be used in patients with a history of dysuria, prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and other lower urinary tract obstructive disorders.