How Long Does Savella (Milnacipran) Stay In Your System?
Milnacipran is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that helps to restore the balance of certain natural substances located in a person’s brain. While many people have discovered that milnacipran is a drug that can help combat depression, the medication has the potential to result in several unwanted side effects. As a result, some people find it important to quit taking the medication.
The withdrawal process, however, can be complicated and result in undesirable temporary side effects. This causes many people to wonder how long it will take for milnacipran to leave their system. In short, the length of time that it takes the medication to leave a person’s system changes between individuals. Generally, though, milnacipran takes several weeks to fully leave a person’s system.
Savella (Milnacipran) Prescription Facts
Savella is divided into two tablets that are taken daily. A person often will begin taking 12.5-mg daily doses which then increase to 100 mg daily after a one week period. While the recommended dose of Savella is 100 mg, some physicians increase dosage to 200 mg based on how a person responds to the medication. The medication can be taken with or without food, but many people discover that taking the medication with food helps to decrease side effects.
The most common side effect of the use of Savella is nausea. Some of the other common side effects include constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, hypertension, insomnia, increased heart rate and vomiting.
You should avoid drinking alcohol in combination with Savella. It is also a wise idea to avoid taking the medication in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Avoid stopping Savella suddenly because this can result in serious side effects of both a physical and mental nature. Instead, it is a much better idea to consult with a knowledgeable physician who can make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Savella (Milnacipran) Regulations
The list compiled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of controlled substances does not include milnacipran. Many people have argued that the lack of regulations that directly apply to the medication has increased the risk that milnacipran will be misused.
Most Commonly Abused Drugs Containing Savella (Milnacipran)
Savella is sold under several different trades names including Dalcipran, Ixel, Toledomin and Savella. Each of these drugs has the potential to be misused.
How Savella (Milnacipran) Affects The Brain And Body
Milnacipran is believed by many physicians to increase the number of neurotransmitters, which help to regulate emotions in a person. The exact way in which milnacipran works, however, is still being researched by medical professionals.
Half-Life Of Savella (Milnacipran)
Savella has a half-life of approximately 8 hours, which involves a much quicker elimination of the drug than other antidepressants.
This means that 8 hours after taking a 10-mg dose of Savella, the presence of medication in a person’s body would be reduced to 5 mg. After another 8 hours elapse, the presence of the medication in a person’s system would be further reduced to 2.5 mg. This division would continue until the presence of the drug in a person’s system would become so small that it would be undetectable.
Factors That Influence How Long Savella (Milnacipran) Stays In Your System
It is important to emphasize that the exact length of time that withdrawal takes changes between people. Savella stays in the systems of some people much longer than it does in others. Some of the factors that influence how long the medication remains in a person’s system include the following:
- The age of the person. Younger individuals frequently have a faster time proceeding through the withdrawal process.
- Body weight. People of smaller stature often take more time and experience more adverse effects from withdrawal than people with larger bodies.
- Taking other types of drugs can create additional complications in the withdrawal process.
- The frequency with which a person takes Savella can influence the withdrawal process. People who take medication at a pace greater than once a day are likely to encounter more serious withdrawal symptoms.
How Long Does Savella (Milnacipran) Stay In Your Urine And Blood?
As discussed previously, the half-life of Savella is approximately 8 hours. A person taking a standard dose of the medication could expect that traceable amounts of the medication would be eliminated within several weeks. Large portions of Savella are also eliminated from a person’s body through urine. A person could expect some of the drug to be removed so that a urine test would not reveal traces of the chemical a few weeks after a person discontinued use of the medication.
Savella Withdrawal and Detox
Mixing Savella With Alcohol
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.