Savella (Milnacipran) Withdrawal And Detox

Milnacipran is a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). The medication is used to treat depression as well as other psychiatric disorders.

In 2009, the medication was approved for use in the treatment of fibromyalgia, which is a disease involving constant pain. Savella is effective at treating fibromyalgia because it increases the level of neurotransmitters that cause pain in a person.

Even though medical professionals consider milnacipran to be non-addictive, withdrawal from the medication can cause a variety of uncomfortable side effects. As a result, it is often a better idea for people who want to discontinue use of the medication to gradually taper off of the medication.

What Are Common Savella (Milnacipran) Withdrawal Symptoms?

Any person who discontinues Savella is at risk of facing withdrawal symptoms. The exact complications that a person faces will depend on a variety of individual factors. As a result, withdrawal symptoms from the medication often change between individuals. Some of the most common side effects that are experienced in response to Savella include the following:

  • Agitation and restlessness, which occur due to irregularities in the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin in a person’s body.
  • Anxiety and panic attacks can occur during withdrawal due to over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system because of neurotransmitter imbalances.
  • Appetite and weight chances are common among individuals who are withdrawing from the medication.
  • Cognitive problems are common among people who are in the process of discontinuing use of Savella.
  • Brain zaps which involve the sensation of electrical jolts in a person’s body are experienced by many people during withdrawal.
  • Dizziness can occur due to changes in neurotransmitter levels in a person’s body during discontinuation of the medication.
  • Insomnia or disturbances in a person’s sleep schedule are very common due to withdrawal from the medication.

Nausea can occur following discontinuation of the medication, which can prove to be particularly severe in some cases leading to vomiting

Savella (Milnacipran) Withdrawal Timeline And Symptom Durations

The amount of time that it takes a person to overcome milnacipran withdrawal depends on a variety of factors, which means that not everyone recovers at the same pace or experiences symptoms for the same amount of time. One individual might discover that withdrawal from the medication takes one or two weeks while another person might discover that the process takes months.

Some of the factors that influence the length of time that it takes to withdrawal from the medication include the dosage taken, a person’s age and a person’s weight.

People who use the help of a physician to discontinue milnacipran can expect to notice improvements in their condition within two to 12 weeks.

Savella (Milnacipran) Medications And Detox

Using supplements while withdrawing from the use of Savella can help a person recover from their symptoms more easily and at a faster rate. There are not any prescribed medications that are used to help people detox from Savella, but there are several types of supplements that can prove beneficial during the withdrawal process. These supplements include the following:

  • L-Tryptophan, which is a supplement that the body can use to produce serotonin during withdrawal.
  • Magnesium, which helps combat anxiety, insomnia and muscle pain due to milnacipran withdrawal.
  • Multivitamins, which help to make sure that a person does not end up vitamin deficient as a result of the withdrawal process.
  • Vitamin B complex, which helps to increase energy and relax muscles during the withdrawal process.

Managing Withdrawal Symptoms Of Savella (Milnacipran)

While withdrawal from Savella is a difficult process, there are some steps that a person can take to decrease the severity of any symptoms that arise. Some of these steps include the following pieces of advice:

• Gradually taper off the medication because this is a much safer option than quitting “cold turkey” and frequently results in less serious complications.
• Make sure to work with a physician or medical professional during withdrawal to make sure that you receive adequate physical and mental care.
• Discuss what supplements should be taken to best address any medical conditions that arise during withdrawal from the medication.

Medical Disclaimer

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.