Levomilnacipran: a newly approved drug for treatment of major depressive disorder.

Abstract

Levomilnacipran is a novel serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) for the treatment of major depressive disorder. This paper reviews up-to-date data on the pharmacology, short- and long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of levomilnacipran. The drug differs from previously available SNRIs in having twice the potency for norepinephrine versus serotonin reuptake inhibition. In four of the six short-term clinical trials, levomilnacipran was statistically significantly more efficacious than placebo. The only available relapse prevention study did not show reduction in time to relapse, perhaps because relapse rates were low. The commonest adverse events occurring twice as often as on placebo were nausea, hyperhidrosis, constipation, tachycardia, vomiting, erectile dysfunction, palpitations, and ejaculation disorder. In a few patients, hypertension or orthostatic hypotension may occur. Levomilnacipran has been shown to be effective in the short-term treatment of major depressive disorder and may represent an incremental advance. However, further research about its efficacy in subgroups of patients and comparing it to other antidepressants is needed.

• Authors: Rajnish Mago, Rajeev Mahajan, Michael E Thase
• Journal: Expert review of clinical pharmacology (Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol) Vol. 7 Issue 2 Pg. 137-45 (Mar 2014) ISSN: 1751-2441 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24524592 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
• Antidepressive Agents
• Cyclopropanes
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Milnacipran

Topics

• Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Antidepressive Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Cyclopropanes (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Milnacipran
• Secondary Prevention
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Time Factors