SNRIs, including levomilnacipran, have been associated with increases in blood pressure. Blood pressure should be measured prior to initiating treatment and periodically throughout levomilnacipran treatment. Pre-existing hypertension should be controlled before initiating treatment with levomilnacipran. Caution should be exercised in treating patients with pre-existing hypertension, cardiovascular, or cerebrovascular conditions that might be compromised by increases in blood pressure. For patients who experience a sustained increase in blood pressure while receiving levomilnacipran, discontinuation or other appropriate medical intervention should be considered. 

Table 2 shows the mean changes in blood pressure, sustained hypertension, and upward shifts in hypertensive status that were observed in levomilnacipran-treated adult patients in the short-term placebo-controlled studies.

Table 2: Blood Pressure Mean Changes, Sustained Hypertension, and Upward Shifts in Hypertensive Status with Levomilnacipran (in Adults)

In the short-term, placebo-controlled MDD studies in adults, the mean increase from initiation of treatment in systolic BP was 3 mm Hg and diastolic BP was 3.2 mm Hg, as compared to no change in the placebo group. There were no dose-related changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure observed. 

In adult patients exposed to one-year, open-label treatment of levomilnacipran (doses range from 40 mg to 120 mg once daily), the mean change from initiation of treatment in systolic BP was 3.9 mm Hg and diastolic BP was 3.1 mm Hg.

In short-term, placebo- and active-controlled MDD studies in pediatric patients 7 years to less than 18 years of age, treatment with levomilnacipran was associated with the occurrence of new-onset hypertension (two systolic and/or diastolic BP measurements in the stage I hypertension range and/or one measurement in the stage II range) in 36.2% of treated patients compared with 20.7% of patients randomized to placebo. Elevations in either systolic or diastolic BP leading to measures at or above the stage II hypertension threshold occurred in 12.1% of pediatric patients treated with levomilnacipran and 7.5% of patients randomized to placebo. Sustained hypertension (three or more consecutive systolic or diastolic BP measurements at or above the stage I hypertension threshold) occurred in 15% of pediatric patients treated with levomilnacipran and 4% of patients randomized to placebo. The safety and effectiveness of levomilnacipran have not been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of MDD.

In the short-term, placebo-controlled studies in adults, 11.6% of patients met orthostatic hypotension criteria (SBP or DBP) in the levomilnacipran group compared to 9.7% in the placebo group. Orthostatic reductions of blood pressure ≥ 10 mm Hg in DBP occurred in 5.8%, 6.1% and 9.8% of levomilnacipran-treated patients with doses of 40, 80 and 120 mg/day respectively, compared to 6.2% of placebo-treated patients. 

Concomitant use of levomilnacipran with drugs that increase blood pressure and heart rate has not been evaluated and such combinations should be used with caution. Effects of levomilnacipran on blood pressure in patients with significant hypertension or cardiac disease have not been systematically evaluated. Levomilnacipran should be used with caution in these patients.