Savella Dosage

by on April 20, 2012

Savella is a drug commonly used to treat fibromyalgia. A drug fairly new to the US, Savella has been found to be an effective treatment and is commonly prescribed for pain management.  It may also be prescribed for off-label uses, such as for migraines, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), peripheral diabetic neuropathy pain, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Approved for use in the United States in 2009, the generic version of this drug, called Milnacipran, has been in use for over a decade in other countries and is also used as a treatment for depression. Savella has been widely studied and it has been determined to be an effective treatment that is well tolerated by patients.

Savella Dosage

Savella is a drug that is taken orally, offered only in tablet form. Physicians often start patients on a very low dose and have them increase to a point where the patient can easily tolerate the drug with minimal side effects, while still being able to achieve the best results.

It is recommended to start taking Savella at 12.5 mg for the first few days, doubling this by day 4 through 7. After the first week, patients are often prescribed 50 mg twice daily. In extreme cases, however, patients may be prescribed a dosage of up to 100 mg twice daily. It is important to talk to your doctor if you feel there is a need to increase the medication or if there are any side effects that develop when increasing the treatment.

Dosage Problems

Patients should attempt to take their dosage of Savella at roughly the same times daily, as developing a standard routine is the best way to ensure consistent treatment.

In the case where a patient misses a dose, the patient should take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, the delayed dose can be skipped. In the case of suspected overdose, seek medical treatment immediately or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. It is important to remember that taking your dosage as prescribed should ensure there are few complications. Patients should also be aware that drinking alcohol with this drug is not advised as it can be damaging to the liver.

For the best results store Savella at room temperature, avoiding heat and moisture. When used as prescribed, Savella has been shown to be a highly effective treatment in pain management, specifically in relation to the pain and discomfort associated with fibromyalgia.