Levomilnacipran and Constipation: What Users Say

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2015

Levomilnacipran for Depression "I had recently lost just about everything I had but my truck, and was suffering from major depression. Couldn't even find the strength or will to get off my grandmother's couch. The doc gave me the first 3 weeks dosage (2 20mg then up to 40). The very first day I noticed changes. I had my energy back, I wanted to do things again. The side effects didn't kick in until day 4. Nausea, constipation, and overall foul stomach. My stomach made noises that I've never before heard it make. It was putting me in such a great mood that I just pushed through it and in about a week, with lots of antacid and stool softener, it subsided. This medicine has helped me tremendously so far in my battle with depression."

• Mrs...
• May 25, 2017

Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder "I was on 120 mg. Was great for my mood, but I had several side effects including: increased blood pressure, tachycardia, urinary hesitation, constipation, bloating, stomach pain, dry mouth, nausea, and UTI. My Dr. told me to choose whether I wanted to feel good mentally or physically. Looking for a new Dr. I think I deserve both. One without the other is simply existing, and I want to live life happy and healthy."

• Som...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2015

Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Fetzima for 3 months. I take the 40 mg extended release. This has been the best medication I have been on. I have increased energy. I can focus and stay on task. I do not feel hopeless and have an opinion now. The side effects I have are dry mouth, constipation, my face and chest will turn red and feel hot to me at times, and my neck will break out. I have also had some irritability and anger. I feel like this is because I walked around in a fog with no thoughts or opinions for so long that now I'm engaged in life and paying attention. Some things that used to not bother me do now. For me, my effects from this medication have not changed at all. The benefits definitely outweigh the mild side effects."

• asd...
• June 4, 2014

Levomilnacipran for Depression "The potential side effect list became my life. I got everything, the extreme sweating, nausea, dry mouth, constipation... all of it. Had to stop going to my daily kickboxing classes completely because I'd get dizzy and throw up every five minutes until I stopped working out. I had to plan taking it around being able to spend two hours in bed not moving in air conditioning just to keep it down. Saw 0 effect on mood. I was switched to a new one yesterday, and hopefully life gets better."

• bam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2015

Levomilnacipran for Depression "I was switched from Celexa to Fetzima. I started on 20 mg for a few days, then increased to 40 mg. It did not help my depression at all. I was crying and had repetitive thoughts. Side effects were awful: constipation, dizziness, retrograde ejaculation, anxiety, irritability, etc. I switched to Viibryd. So far, it's a lot better."

• Hob...
• April 14, 2023

Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder "Excellent, I’ve tried all the SNRIs, this is the best. Plus, it can have the side effects of constipation, which is excellent for me because I suffer from IBSD, so my episodes of diarrhea are much less and milder. No effect on my weight or appetite. No CNS effects like drowsiness or fogginess or anything. I am on 40 mg per day. I am a long-time sufferer of treatment-resistant depression. I hope this feedback is helpful."

• 707...
• February 4, 2016

Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder "Have major depressive disorder, PTSD, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain, high BP and cholesterol, low thyroid. Started taking Fetzima 20 mg for two days and then 40 mg daily for the past seven days. It stopped the traumatic thoughts at night but need to quit it due to so many awful side effects... slight nausea and light headaches the first few days, awful insomnia, very dry mouth, sore eyes and less clear vision, twitching in corner of eye, hot sweats switching to my whole body feeling cold, muscle cramps in legs, bad constipation. So sad because it was the only antidepressant that worked for the PTSD. It probably did raise my blood pressure, but I did not check... got bad headaches like I do when BP is up. Good luck, everyone."

• Tif...
• May 18, 2017

Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder "I've tried damn near every med you can think of. I have MDD, GAD, PTSD, ADHD. Wellbutrin stopped working after 3 years, and I don't do well on SSRIs (Fetzima is SNRI). So I said, everyone is built different, so trial and error/guinea pig it is. 20 mg once daily for 2 days, then up to 40 mg/day. Day 1 had completely 0 side effects. Day 2 nausea and vomiting lasted until day 5, which is when constipation began. BUT my depression is under control despite environmental factors I can't control. I am less emotional, moody, or irritable in general. Suicidal thoughts don't last as long as before. I'm not a zombie. No weight gain. It's good. Not great. 7/10 for me. Started 80 mg today, nauseous but will subside. I'm pretty stable. Give it a chance."

• Tis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 24, 2018

Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder "Well, my Wellbutrin stopped working after 4 years. Explained as tolerance. Switched to Fetzima for 1+ year. First 5 days, I took a lot of naps, dizziness, nausea, and, surprisingly, constipation. By week 2, it subsided and mood was better, but not fantastic. Fetzima was a crutch because I was functional and could get around, but not as well as I used to. But without this crutch, I would be hopping around, if not immobilized, so to speak. It did its job, just nothing special. Better on it than off of it. But depression is back now. I don't recommend Fetzima, but if it works, it works. Give it a chance. Wait 2-3 weeks to see how you feel. I tapered off it and I start back on Wellbutrin today (which for me has been the best med I've ever taken). Best of luck. Remember, each individual has a unique brain chemistry, so meds are always trial and error. If you don't like it, tell your doctor and don't be afraid to switch, just heed warning to withdrawals and taper off accordingly."

• Clo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder "After over 25 years on every major antidepressant there is, I would find after a few years it stopped working. So this time my doctor suggested Fetzima. I took 20 mg the first 2 days, then 40 mg for a week, now I have been on 80 mg for 4 days. Although my mood is better for the most part, I’m so nauseous and constipated I don’t think I can continue this. I see my doctor next week, in the meantime, I’m going to go back down to 40 mg. Disappointed as I had high hopes for this one."

• Asd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2017

Levomilnacipran for Depression "I've taken several different SSRIs and SNRIs. This medication is the worst I have ever taken. It makes me feel worse than I felt before I started taking anything at all - sweating, hot flashes, my mouth constantly tastes like I drank salt water, constipation, bloated, nausea, exhausted. You name it. EXTREME RAGE! Stay away from this med. It's a scary thing."

• Rac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2016

For Depression "I can't accurately vouch for this drug if it works or not. But I've had immense side effects and possible allergic reactions. I've had chills, dizziness, and itching on my hands and feet, which are most likely an allergic reaction. And I've had constipation every day, diarrhea, major irritability, and strong desires to cry for no reason."

• SDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2018

Levomilnacipran for Depression "I'm on week 4, and so far, so good. Just a little constipated, but otherwise, mood is leveling out."