The FDA approved levomilnacipran for treating major depressive disorder. This approval was based on the results of five clinical trials. The trials included one 10-week phase II and four 8-week phase III. Four of the five trials demonstrated a statistically significant superiority to placebo as measured by the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Superiority to placebo was also demonstrated by improvement in the Sheehan Disability Scale.
Relative to other SNRIs, levomilnacipran, as well as milnacipran, differ in that they are much more balanced reuptake inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine.[12][13][14] To demonstrate, the serotonin:norepinephrine ratios of SNRIs are as follows: venlafaxine = 30:1, duloxetine = 10:1, desvenlafaxine = 14:1, milnacipran = 1.6:1, and levomilnacipran = 1:2.[12] The clinical implications of more balanced elevations of serotonin and norepinephrine are unclear,[12] but may include improved effectiveness, though also increased side effects.[13][14][15]
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^ abCitrome L (November 2013). "Levomilnacipran for major depressive disorder: a systematic review of the efficacy and safety profile for this newly approved antidepressant--what is the number needed to treat, number needed to harm and likelihood to be helped or harmed?". International Journal of Clinical Practice. 67 (11): 1089–1104. doi:10.1111/ijcp.12298. PMID24016209. S2CID205185145.
^ abSaraceni MM, Venci JV, Gandhi MA (August 2014). "Levomilnacipran (Fetzima): A New Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder". Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 27 (4): 389–395. doi:10.1177/0897190013516504. PMID24381243. S2CID41502983.
^Bradley AJ, Lenox-Smith AJ (August 2013). "Does adding noradrenaline reuptake inhibition to selective serotonin reuptake inhibition improve efficacy in patients with depression? A systematic review of meta-analyses and large randomised pragmatic trials". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 27 (8): 740–758. doi:10.1177/0269881113494937. PMID23832963. S2CID36890464.
^Rizvi SM, Shaikh S, Khan M, Biswas D, Hameed N, Shakil S (2014). "Fetzima (levomilnacipran), a drug for major depressive disorder as a dual inhibitor for human serotonin transporters and beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1". CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets. 13 (8): 1427–1431. doi:10.2174/1871527313666141023145703. PMID25345508.