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UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION Recognize the symptoms
of Major depressive
disorder

symptoms of depression

A person with depression has at least 5 of these symptoms:

  • Depressed Mood
  • Loss of Interest or Pleasure
  • Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt
  • Agitation or Restlessness
  • Fatigue or Loss of Energy
  • Trouble Thinking, Making Decisions, or Concentrating
  • Disturbed Sleep
  • Changes in Appetite or Weight
  • Thoughts of Death or Suicide or Suicide Attempts

At least one of the symptoms must be "depressed mood" or "loss of interest or pleasure." A person with depression will have experienced these symptoms nearly every day for at least a 2-week period, and the symptoms cause a change in the person's normal functioning.

If you are feeling these depression symptoms, it's important for you to get the diagnosis and a treatment that is right for you. Tell your healthcare provider about all of your symptoms and, if you are diagnosed with depression, ask about your treatment options.

resources & organizations

Where can I find more information?

There are many resources available that can help you learn about depression and find other people who understand what you are going through. Knowing where to turn can help you manage your depression. The websites listed below provide education and support for people with depression and their families. Please note: These resources are cited for informational purposes only and do not imply recommendation or endorsement by AbbVie Inc.

National Alliance on Mental Illness logo National Alliance
on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI is dedicated to building better lives
for the millions of Americans affected by
mental illness.

Mental Health America logo Mental Health America
(MHA)

With over a century of advocacy, MHA is
dedicated to helping all people live
mentally healthier lives.

National Institute of Mental Health logo National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH)

NIMH provides education about
depression and support for people with
depression and their families.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance logo Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

DBSA offers information on depression, as
well as listings of support groups across
the United States.

American Psychiatric Association Foundation logo APA
Healthy Minds

Healthy Minds, part of the American
Psychiatric Association, provides information
on common mental health concerns.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention logo American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

AFSP invests in the research, education, and
advocacy to prevent suicide, and assists
those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

USE

FETZIMA® (levomilnacipran), extended-release capsules, is a prescription medicine used to treat a certain type of depression called Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

It is not known if FETZIMA is safe and effective for use in children.

FETZIMA is not for use for the management of fibromyalgia, and its efficacy and safety have not been established for that use.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

FETZIMA may cause serious side effects, including:

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. FETZIMA and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. FETZIMA is not for use in children.

  • Depression or other mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions.
  • Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
  • Call your healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
  • Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.

Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you or your family member has any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

  • Attempts to commit suicide; acting on dangerous impulses; acting aggressive; being angry or violent; thoughts about suicide or dying; new or worsening depression or anxiety; feeling very agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping; new or worsening irritability; an extreme increase in activity or talking (mania); or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

FETZIMA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serotonin syndrome. A potentially life-threatening problem called serotonin syndrome can happen when FETZIMA is taken with certain other medicines. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome: agitation, confusion, fast heartbeat, dizziness, flushing, tremors, stiff muscles or muscle twitching, seizures, seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations), coma, blood pressure changes, sweating, high body temperature (hyperthermia), loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension). Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure before you start and during treatment with FETZIMA. If you have high blood pressure, it should be controlled before you start treatment with FETZIMA.
  • Increased heart rate. Your healthcare provider should check your heart rate before you start and during treatment with FETZIMA. If you have heart problems or problems with an abnormal heartbeat, your problems should be treated before you start treatment with FETZIMA.
  • Increased risk of bleeding. Taking FETZIMA with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, or blood thinners may add to this risk. Tell your healthcare provider right away about any unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Eye problems (angle-closure glaucoma). FETZIMA may cause a type of eye problem called angle-closure glaucoma in people with certain eye problems. You may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and receive preventative treatment if you are. Call your healthcare provider if you have changes in your vision, eye pain, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
  • Problems with urination. FETZIMA may cause you to have problems with urination, including decreased urine flow and being unable to pass any urine. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any problems with urine flow during treatment with FETZIMA.
  • Manic episodes. Manic episodes may happen in people with bipolar disorder who take FETZIMA. Symptoms may include greatly increased energy, racing thoughts, unusually grand ideas, talking more or faster than usual, severe trouble sleeping, reckless behavior, or excessive happiness or irritability.
  • Seizures (convulsions).
  • Discontinuation symptoms. Suddenly stopping FETZIMA may cause you to have serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may want to decrease your dose slowly. Symptoms may include changes in your mood, irritability and agitation, dizziness, electric shock sensation (paresthesia), anxiety, confusion, headache, tiredness, problems sleeping, hypomania, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), and seizures.
  • Low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia). Low sodium levels in your blood that may be serious and may cause death can happen during treatment with FETZIMA. Elderly people and people who take certain medicines may be at greater risk for this. Symptoms may include headache, difficulty concentrating, memory changes, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness on your feet, which can lead to falls. In more severe or more sudden cases, signs and symptoms include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), fainting, seizures, coma, and stopping breathing (respiratory arrest).
  • Sexual problems. Taking FETZIMA may cause sexual problems. Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any changes in your sexual function or if you have any questions or concerns about sexual problems during treatment.

DO NOT take FETZIMA if you:

  • are allergic to levomilnacipran, milnacipran HCl, or any of the ingredients in FETZIMA
  • are taking, or have taken within the last 14 days, medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for a psychiatric illness
  • are being treated with other types of MAOIs, including the antibiotic linezolid or intravenous methylene blue

Do not start taking an MAOI for at least 7 days after you stop treatment with FETZIMA.

Before taking FETZIMA, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • have or had a family history of suicide, depression, bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania
  • have high blood pressure
  • have or had heart problems, including a fast heartbeat, or stroke
  • have or had bleeding problems
  • have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
  • have or had problems urinating (hesitating) or emptying your bladder (retention)
  • have or had seizures (convulsions)
  • have low sodium levels in your blood
  • have or had kidney problems
  • drink alcohol
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. FETZIMA may harm your unborn baby. Taking FETZIMA during your third trimester of pregnancy may cause an increased risk of bleeding after delivery and may cause your baby to be at increased risk for withdrawal symptoms, or breathing, temperature control, feeding, or other problems at birth. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks to you and your baby if you take FETZIMA during pregnancy.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with FETZIMA.
    • There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to FETZIMA during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of females exposed to FETZIMA and their babies. If you become pregnant during treatment with FETZIMA, you are encouraged to register with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 1-844-405-6185 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FETZIMA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with FETZIMA.
    • If you breastfeed during treatment with FETZIMA, call your healthcare provider right away if your baby develops sleepiness or fussiness, or is not feeding or gaining weight well.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

FETZIMA and other medicines may affect each other, causing possible serious side effects.

FETZIMA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way FETZIMA works.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

  • MAOIs
  • medicines used to treat migraine headaches known as triptans
  • tricyclic antidepressants
  • lithium
  • tramadol, fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, or other opioids
  • tryptophan
  • buspirone
  • amphetamines
  • St. John's Wort
  • medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • medicines that can affect blood clotting, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and warfarin
  • diuretics

Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.
Do not start or stop any other medicines during treatment with FETZIMA without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping FETZIMA suddenly may cause you to have serious side effects.

Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with FETZIMA.

  • Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how FETZIMA affects you. FETZIMA can cause sleepiness or may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly.

The most common side effects of FETZIMA include:

  • nausea, vomiting, constipation, sweating, palpitations, fast or increased heart rate, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorder

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of FETZIMA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide or visit https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/fetzima_pi.pdf

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
See More
USE

FETZIMA® (levomilnacipran),extended-release capsules, is a prescription medicine used to treat a certain type of depression called Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

FETZIMA may cause serious side effects, including:

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. FETZIMA and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. FETZIMA is not for use in children.

FETZIMA may cause serious side effects, including:

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. FETZIMA and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. FETZIMA is not for use in children.

  • Depression or other mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions.
  • Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
  • Call your healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
  • Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.

Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you or your family member has any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

  • Attempts to commit suicide; acting on dangerous impulses; acting aggressive; being angry or violent; thoughts about suicide or dying; new or worsening depression or anxiety; feeling very agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping; new or worsening irritability; an extreme increase in activity or talking (mania); or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

FETZIMA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serotonin syndrome. A potentially life-threatening problem called serotonin syndrome can happen when FETZIMA is taken with certain other medicines. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome: agitation, confusion, fast heartbeat, dizziness, flushing, tremors, stiff muscles or muscle twitching, seizures, seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations), coma, blood pressure changes, sweating, high body temperature (hyperthermia), loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension). Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure before you start and during treatment with FETZIMA. If you have high blood pressure, it should be controlled before you start treatment with FETZIMA.
  • Increased heart rate. Your healthcare provider should check your heart rate before you start and during treatment with FETZIMA. If you have heart problems or problems with an abnormal heartbeat, your problems should be treated before you start treatment with FETZIMA.
  • Increased risk of bleeding. Taking FETZIMA with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, or blood thinners may add to this risk. Tell your healthcare provider right away about any unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Eye problems (angle-closure glaucoma). FETZIMA may cause a type of eye problem called angle-closure glaucoma in people with certain eye problems. You may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and receive preventative treatment if you are. Call your healthcare provider if you have changes in your vision, eye pain, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
  • Problems with urination. FETZIMA may cause you to have problems with urination, including decreased urine flow and being unable to pass any urine. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any problems with urine flow during treatment with FETZIMA.
  • Manic episodes. Manic episodes may happen in people with bipolar disorder who take FETZIMA. Symptoms may include greatly increased energy, racing thoughts, unusually grand ideas, talking more or faster than usual, severe trouble sleeping, reckless behavior, or excessive happiness or irritability.
  • Seizures (convulsions).
  • Discontinuation symptoms. Suddenly stopping FETZIMA may cause you to have serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may want to decrease your dose slowly. Symptoms may include changes in your mood, irritability and agitation, dizziness, electric shock sensation (paresthesia), anxiety, confusion, headache, tiredness, problems sleeping, hypomania, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), and seizures.
  • Low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia). Low sodium levels in your blood that may be serious and may cause death can happen during treatment with FETZIMA. Elderly people and people who take certain medicines may be at greater risk for this. Symptoms may include headache, difficulty concentrating, memory changes, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness on your feet, which can lead to falls. In more severe or more sudden cases, signs and symptoms include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), fainting, seizures, coma, and stopping breathing (respiratory arrest).
  • Sexual problems. Taking FETZIMA may cause sexual problems. Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any changes in your sexual function or if you have any questions or concerns about sexual problems during treatment.

DO NOT take FETZIMA if you:

  • are allergic to levomilnacipran, milnacipran HCl, or any of the ingredients in FETZIMA
  • are taking, or have taken within the last 14 days, medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for a psychiatric illness
  • are being treated with other types of MAOIs, including the antibiotic linezolid or intravenous methylene blue

Do not start taking an MAOI for at least 7 days after you stop treatment with FETZIMA.

Before taking FETZIMA, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • have or had a family history of suicide, depression, bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania
  • have high blood pressure
  • have or had heart problems, including a fast heartbeat, or stroke
  • have or had bleeding problems
  • have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
  • have or had problems urinating (hesitating) or emptying your bladder (retention)
  • have or had seizures (convulsions)
  • have low sodium levels in your blood
  • have or had kidney problems
  • drink alcohol
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. FETZIMA may harm your unborn baby. Taking FETZIMA during your third trimester of pregnancy may cause an increased risk of bleeding after delivery and may cause your baby to be at increased risk for withdrawal symptoms, or breathing, temperature control, feeding, or other problems at birth. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks to you and your baby if you take FETZIMA during pregnancy.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with FETZIMA.
    • There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to FETZIMA during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of females exposed to FETZIMA and their babies. If you become pregnant during treatment with FETZIMA, you are encouraged to register with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 1-844-405-6185 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FETZIMA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with FETZIMA.
    • If you breastfeed during treatment with FETZIMA, call your healthcare provider right away if your baby develops sleepiness or fussiness, or is not feeding or gaining weight well.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

FETZIMA and other medicines may affect each other, causing possible serious side effects.

FETZIMA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way FETZIMA works.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

  • MAOIs
  • medicines used to treat migraine headaches known as triptans
  • tricyclic antidepressants
  • lithium
  • tramadol, fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, or other opioids
  • tryptophan
  • buspirone
  • amphetamines
  • St. John's Wort
  • medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • medicines that can affect blood clotting, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and warfarin
  • diuretics

Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.
Do not start or stop any other medicines during treatment with FETZIMA without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping FETZIMA suddenly may cause you to have serious side effects.

Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with FETZIMA.

  • Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how FETZIMA affects you. FETZIMA can cause sleepiness or may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly.

The most common side effects of FETZIMA include:

  • nausea, vomiting, constipation, sweating, palpitations, fast or increased heart rate, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorder

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of FETZIMA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

USE

FETZIMA® (levomilnacipran), extended-release capsules, is a prescription medicine used to treat a certain type of depression called Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

It is not known if FETZIMA is safe and effective for use in children.

FETZIMA is not for use for the management of fibromyalgia, and its efficacy and safety have not been established for that use.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide or visit https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/fetzima_pi.pdf

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