Lyrica vs. Savella

• Are Lyrica and Savella the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lyrica?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Savella?
• What Is Lyrica?
• What Is Savella?
• What Drugs Interact with Lyrica?
• What Drugs Interact with Savella?
• How Should Lyrica Be Taken?
• How Should Savella Be Taken?

Lyrica (pregabalin) and Savella (milnacipran HCl) are used to treat fibromyalgia.

Lyrica is also used for neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and for treating partial onset seizures in adults.

Lyrica and Savella belong to different drug classes. Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug (anticonvulsant) and Savella is a selective norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Side effects of Lyrica and Savella that are similar include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and weight changes.

Side effects of Lyrica that are different from Savella include loss of balance or coordination, fluid retention (edema), breast swelling, tremors, blurred vision, and problems with memory or concentration.

Side effects of Savella that are different from Lyrica include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, bloating, loss of appetite, tired feeling, increased sweating, headache, hot flashes and flushing, swelling in your hands or feet, sleep problems (insomnia), decreased sex drive, impotence, and difficulty having an orgasm.

Lyrica may interact with alcohol, other drugs that make you drowsy (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures), oral diabetes medicines, and ACE inhibitors.

Savella may interact with blood thinners, clonidine, diuretics (water pills), digoxin, epinephrine, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, migraine headache medicine, and antidepressants.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop using Lyrica or Savella.

Common side effects of Lyrica include:

• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• dizziness,
• blurred vision,
• constipation,
• weight gain,
• trouble urinating,
• headache,
• increased hunger, and
• changes in taste.

Common side effects of Savella include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• bloating,
• dry mouth,
• constipation,
• loss of appetite,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• increased sweating,
• headache,
• hot flashes (flushing),
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• weight changes,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Savella is similar to some drugs used for the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders. Antidepressants such as Savella may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults. Tell your doctor if this occurs while taking Savella. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Savella including:

• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• painful or difficult urination,
• seizures,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• dark urine,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• black or bloody stools,
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or
• easy bruising or bleeding.

Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anti-epileptic drug (anticonvulsant) used for neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and for treating partial onset seizures in adults, and fibromyalgia.

Savella (milnacipran HCl) is a selective norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat a chronic pain disorder called fibromyalgia.

Lyrica may interact with alcohol, other medicines that can make you sleepy (sold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for anxiety), or rosiglitazone.

Savella may interact with blood thinners, clonidine, diuretics (water pills), digoxin, epinephrine, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, migraine headache medicine, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Savella should be used only when prescribed. Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell the doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breastfeeding. Do not stop using Savella suddenly, or you could have withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, feeling irritable, confusion, headache, ringing in your ears, and sleep problems.

The recommended dose of Lyrica is 75-600 mg daily. Alcohol and drugs that cause sedation may increase the sedative effects of Lyrica. There are no adequate studies of Lyrica in pregnant women. If you become pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Lyrica on the baby. It is unknown if Lyrica passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Lyrica is not recommended.

The recommended dose of Savella is 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily).