FDA Approves Milnacipran For Fibromyalgia

This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug milnacipran for treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Milnacipran is an anti-depressant in the same class as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and is believed to improve symptoms of pain and depression in fibromyalgia patients by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitters seratonin and nor-epinephrine available for brain function.

Milnacipran has been approved and prescribed in Europe since 1998 under the brand name Ixel. One benefit the drug may offer over its rival Cymbalta is a relatively low number and severity of side effects. It will be prescribed in the U.S. under the brand name Savella, and is expected to be available to the public by March.

Milnacipran is the third drug approved by the FDA for treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms (after Lyrica and Cymbalta).