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Levomilnacipran Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 8, 2025.

Applies to levomilnacipran: oral capsule extended release.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule, extended release)

Warning: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors. Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies.

Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Levomilnacipran is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly.

Do not take levomilnacipran with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). Do not start taking levomilnacipran during the 2 weeks after you stop a MAO inhibitor. Wait 1 week after stopping levomilnacipran before you start taking a MAO inhibitor. Do not use this medicine if you are using certain MAOI (eg, linezolid [Zyvox®], methylene blue injection). If you take them together or do not wait the proper amount of time, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe seizures.

Levomilnacipran may cause some teenagers and young adults to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Some people may have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. If you or your caregiver notice any of these unwanted effects, tell your doctor right away. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.

Levomilnacipran may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if taken together with some medicines. Do not use levomilnacipran with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, meperidine, methadone, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Demerol®, Methadose®, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®). Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines with levomilnacipran.

This medicine may increase your risk for bleeding problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking other medicines that thin the blood, including aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, also called NSAIDs (eg, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Voltaren®), or warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).

Do not Stop taking levomilnacipran without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely to decrease the chance of withdrawal effects. Some examples of withdrawal effects include agitation, breathing problems, chest pain, confusion, diarrhea, dizziness or lightheadedness, fast heartbeat, headaches, increased sweating, muscle pain, nausea, restlessness, runny nose, trouble sleeping, trembling or shaking, unusual tiredness or weakness, vision changes, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood). This is more common in elderly patients, those who are taking diuretic medicines, or those who have less fluid in the body due to severe diarrhea or vomiting. Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, a headache, memory problems, trouble concentrating, weakness, or feel unsteady when standing.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Check with your doctor right away if you have decreased interest in sexual intercourse, delayed or inability to have an orgasm in women, inability to have or keep an erection in men, or loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance. These could be symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of levomilnacipran

Along with its needed effects, levomilnacipran may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levomilnacipran:

More common side effects

  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • difficult urination
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

Less common side effects

  • anxiety
  • arm, back, or jaw pain
  • blurred vision
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • chest pain, discomfort, heaviness, or tightness
  • cloudy urine
  • confusion
  • decrease in the frequency of urination
  • difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
  • difficulty with speaking
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • drooling
  • dry mouth
  • fainting
  • headache
  • irritability
  • loss of balance control
  • muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
  • nausea
  • painful urination
  • pounding in the ears
  • rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • restlessness
  • shaking
  • shuffling walk
  • slow heartbeat
  • stiffness of the limbs
  • sweating
  • trouble breathing
  • trouble sleeping
  • twisting movements of the body
  • uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

  • delayed or inability to have an orgasm

Other side effects of levomilnacipran

Some side effects of levomilnacipran may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  • increased sweating
  • vomiting

Less common side effects

  • bloated or full feeling
  • decreased appetite
  • dry eyes
  • dry skin
  • feeling of warmth
  • headache, severe and throbbing
  • hives or welts, itching, or rash
  • passing gas
  • red eye
  • red face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  • stomach pain
  • sudden sweating
  • thirst
  • yawning

Incidence not known

  • decrease in smell
  • loss of sense of smell

For healthcare professionals

Applies to levomilnacipran: oral capsule extended release.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included nausea, erectile dysfunction, constipation, and hyperhidrosis.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Cardiovascular

Genitourinary

Erectile dysfunction and urinary hesitation occurred as dose-related events.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Metabolic

Psychiatric

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors more commonly occurred in adolescent and young adults 24 years and younger.[Ref]

Nervous system

Ocular

Other

Hypersensitivity

Hematologic

Hepatic

Respiratory

See also:

References

1. (2013) "Product Information. Fetzima (levomilnacipran)." Forest Pharmaceuticals

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Levomilnacipran side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.