tcsc2010 Milnacipran (hydrochloride)

Milnacipran hydrochloride is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used in the clinical treatment of fibromyalgia.

Target: SNRI

Milnacipran (Ixel, Savella, Dalcipran, Toledomin) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used in the clinical treatment of fibromyalgia. It is not approved for the clinical treatment of major depressive disorder in the USA, but it is in other countries.

Milnacipran inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in an approximately 1:3 ratio, respectively; in practical use this means a relatively balanced action upon bothneurotransmitters. Increasing both neurotransmitters concentration simultaneously works synergistically to treat both depression and fibromyalgia. Milnacipran exerts no significant actions onH1, α1, D1, D2, and mACh receptors, as well as on benzodiazepine and opioid binding sites. Milnacipran is well absorbed after oral dosing and has a bioavailability of 85%. Meals do not have an influence on the rapidity and extent of absorption. Peak plasma concentrations are reached 2 hours after oral dosing. The elimination half-life of 8 hours is not increased by liver impairment and old age, but by significant renal disease. Milnacipran is conjugated to the inactive glucuronide and excreted in the urine as unchanged drug and conjugate. Only traces of active metabolites are found.