Milnacipran

The dual ability for milnacipran to inhibit the reuptake of both serotonin (5HT) and norepinephrine (NE) facilitates its treatment of both fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder (MDD). In particular, it is generally believed that 5HT and NE participate in the modulation of endogenous analgesic mechanisms by way of the descending inhibitory pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord. Although the specific mechanism of action remains unclear, some studies have proposed that low levels of 5HT may be associated with increased sensitivity to pain - a condition that could subsequently be improved by milnacipran's capacity to enhance the presence of 5HT by inhibiting its reuptake via serotonin transporters at synaptic clefts. Furthermore, in the CNS it is also generally believed that NE released from descending pathways can mitigate pain sensations via eliciting inhibitory effects on alpha-2A-adrenoceptors on central terminals of primary afferent nociceptors, by direct alpha-2-adrenergic action on pain-relay neurons, and by alpha-1-adrenoceptor-mediated activation of inhibitory interneurons. Such NE pain mitigation is consequently also enhanced by milnacipran's ability to enhance the presence of NE by inhibiting its reuptake via norepinephrine transporters at synaptic clefts. Concurrently, milnacipran's capacity to inhibit the reuptake of both 5HT and NE also facilitates its treatment of MDD. Given the monoamine hypothesis' assertion that decreased 5HT can be associated with anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, and decreased NE can result in lowered alertness, energy, attention, and general interest in life, it is proposed that milnacipran's basic activities as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor could assist in treating such symptoms of MDD by increasing the presence of both 5HT and NE in the body by inhibiting their reuptake.

The terminal elimination half-life documented for racemic milnacipran is approximately 6-8 hours, where d-milnacipran has a longer elimination half-life of 8-10 hours compared to that of the l-enantionmer at 4-6 hours. Alternatively, the terminal elimination half-life determined specifically for levomilnacipran formulations is about 12 hours.

It has been determined that levomilnacipran undergoes desethylation and hydroxylation to generate desethyl levomilnacipran and p-hydroxy-levomilnacipran, respectively. Both oxidative metabolites undergo further conjugation with glucuronide to form the conjugate milnacipran carbamoyl-O-glucuronide. The desethylation is catalyzed primarily by CYP3A4 with minor contribution by CYP2C8, 2C19, 2D6, and 2J2. Additionally, it is the general understanding that there is no interconversion between the enantiomers of milnacipran in the body.

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MILNACIPRAN

Mechanisms of Action [MoA] - Norepinephrine Uptake Inhibitors

Established Pharmacologic Class [EPC] - Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor

Mechanisms of Action [MoA] - Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors

Milnacipran is a Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor. The mechanism of action of milnacipran is as a Norepinephrine Uptake Inhibitor and Serotonin Uptake Inhibitor.

Drugs that selectively block or suppress the plasma membrane transport of SEROTONIN and NORADRENALINE into axon terminals and are used as ANTIDEPRESSIVE AGENTS.

A subclass of analgesic agents that typically do not bind to OPIOID RECEPTORS and are not addictive. Many non-narcotic analgesics are offered as NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Racemic milnacipram demonstrates an absolute bioavailability of about 85-90% following oral administration. Maximum concentrations of the racemic agent are reached within 2-4 hours after oral dosing, and steady-state levels are obtained by 36-48 hours. Conversely, the relative bioavailability of levomilnacipram has been documented as 92%. The median time to peak concentration Tmax for levomilnacipram is about 6-8 hours after oral administration. After daily dosing of levomilnacipram 120 mg, the mean Cmax value is 341 ng/mL, and the mean steady-state AUC value is 5196 ng.h/mL. In general, the administration of either racemic milnacipram or levomilnacipram with food does not affect the medication's oral bioavailability.

Levomilnacipran and its metabolites are eliminated primarily by renal excretion. Following oral administration of 14C-levomilnacipran solution, approximately 58% of the dose is excreted in urine as unchanged levomilnacipran. N-desethyl levomilnacipran is the major metabolite excreted in the urine and accounted for approximately 18% of the dose. Other identifiable metabolites excreted in the urine are levomilnacipran glucuronide (4%), desethyl levomilnacipran glucuronide (3%), p-hydroxy levomilnacipran glucuronide (1%), and p-hydroxy levomilnacipran (1%).

The mean volume of distribution recorded for racemic milnacipran following a single intravenous dose to healthy subjects was approximately 400 L. Alternatively, levomilnacipran is widely distributed with an apparent volume of distribution of 387-473 L.

The total plasma clearance determined for milnacipran is approximately 40 L/h.