Fetzima

Before taking this medicine

Do not take Fetzima if you are allergic to levomilnacipran, milnacipran hydrochloride or any of its other ingredients. Do not take Fetzima with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used to treat psychiatric disorders, or within 14 days of stopping one. Do not start a psychiatric MAOI within 7 days of stopping Fetzima. Do not start Fetzima while receiving linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. These combinations increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Conditions and medicines requiring caution include: • High blood pressure or a raised heart rate. High blood pressure should be controlled before treatment, and blood pressure monitored regularly during treatment. • Other medicines that affect serotonin, which increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. This can also occur with Fetzima alone. • NSAIDs, aspirin, other antiplatelet medicines, warfarin or other anticoagulants, which may increase bleeding risk. • Untreated narrow angles in the eyes, because of the risk of angle-closure glaucoma. • Difficulty starting urination or inability to empty the bladder. • Bipolar disorder or a history of seizures. Screening for bipolar disorder is needed before treatment because mania or hypomania may occur. • Pregnancy, particularly use in the third trimester, which may increase the risk of breathing problems, unstable temperature, feeding difficulties, low muscle tone, tremor or irritability in the newborn. Fetzima may also cause low blood sodium and sexual dysfunction. Stopping treatment can cause discontinuation symptoms; discuss stopping with your prescriber.