Question 1

Should Fetzima be taken at night?

Accepted Answer

Fetzima for anxiety can be taken either in the morning or at night, depending on what fits best with your daily routine. However, it’s important to take it at the same time each day to maintain consistent levels of the medication in your body, which helps effectively manage your symptoms.

Question 2

How long does Fetzima last?

Accepted Answer

The half-life of Fetzima, which is the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body, is about 12 hours. It typically takes about 60 hours (or five half-lives) for Fetzima to be completely cleared from the body.

Question 3

Do you need to wean off Fetzima?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you should not stop taking Fetzima abruptly. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, discuss with your doctor about gradually reducing your dose. This process, known as tapering, involves slowly decreasing the dosage of Fetzima over time until it is safe to stop completely.

Question 4

How quickly does Fetzima work?

Accepted Answer

Fetzima begins to work after your first dose, but it might take a few weeks for you to notice an improvement in your depression symptoms. If you don’t see any change after 6 to 8 weeks, you should talk to your doctor about possibly adjusting your treatment.

Question 5

What is the best time of day to take Fetzima?

Accepted Answer

You should take Fetzima once a day at about the same time each day. You can take it with or without food. Remember to swallow the capsules whole without opening, chewing, or crushing them.

Question 6

Can you just stop taking Fetzima?

Accepted Answer

Stopping Fetzima suddenly is not advisable. If you’re thinking about stopping, you should first discuss it with your healthcare provider. Stopping abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may be severe. Your doctor will likely suggest gradually reducing your dose to minimize these symptoms.

Question 7

What are the benefits of Fetzima?

Accepted Answer

Fetzima is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder. It’s important to note that while a similar medication, milnacipran (Savella), is used for treating chronic pain disorder like fibromyalgia, Fetzima for anxiety is not approved for this use.

Question 8

Can Fetzima be used in combination with other antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

Fetzima should generally not be combined with other antidepressants, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), because of the risk of developing serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. Always check with your healthcare provider before mixing Fetzima for anxiety with other medications to prevent any harmful interactions or side effects.

Question 9

Is it safe to use Fetzima during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

The safety of Fetzima for anxiety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well established. Similar medications have caused complications when used during the third trimester. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action.