Is Savella Better Than Cymbalta In Treating Fibromyalgia?

Posted on Thu, 6 Apr 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 6 Apr 2017 Answered on

Wed, 17 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I suffer from fibromyalgia and have been taking Cymbalta 60mg I recently went to a new primary and she suggested Savella and this is my second day of taking it but only 12.5 I felt a bit agitated yesterday I just read on web md I should be taking increased dosages of Savella daily and work up to 100mg
please advise as I have bad episodes of fribromyalgia and I am nervous about going off Cymbalta and to Savella the Dr. suggested to one day take Cymbalta and next Savella? that advice does not feel right

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cymbalta is better.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have read your query.

Usually both drugs are good.

I usually advise drug my patients after taking history and doing physical examination.

You must understand that the effects of both cymbalta and savella will vary from one person to another, but effects of cymbalta is better than savella.

I have seen many patients with cymbalta (duloxetine)is better than savlla (milnacipran) for reducing pain, improving sleep etc, I usually advise my patients to have cymbalta.

Also if my patient is having depression I advise him cymbalta, instead of savella.

Usually fibromyalgia patients have depression although mild and sleep problems so I usually advise you to continue with cymbalta.

Lyrica you can take with both.

You can discuss all this with your doctor also.

I hope you got the point.

Thanks,

Dr.CHANDER XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj