TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

FETZIMA (levomilnacipran hydrochloride)

Trial Activity: Declining
CNS Approved 2013-07-25

FETZIMA is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

Source: FDA Label • AbbVie

How FETZIMA Works

The exact mechanism of levomilnacipran's antidepressant effect is unknown but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system. It functions as a potent and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), increasing the synaptic availability of these neurotransmitters by inhibiting their respective transporters.

Development Insights

Forest Laboratories conducting 1 trials (33%)
1 indications explored (Focused)
major depressive disorder (3 trials)
3
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
12
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2013-07-25
Patent Cliff
2032

Pro Metrics

Patent cliff and revenue data

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Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE

Companies

Active Ingredient: LEVOMILNACIPRAN HYDROCHLORIDE

FETZIMA Approval History

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
44 FDA actions from 2013 to 2024 · 2 indication expansions
Apr 2024 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Aug 2023 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Mar 2023 SUPPL
Efficacy

What FETZIMA Treats

1 indications

FETZIMA is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2013. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Major Depressive Disorder
Source: FDA Label

FETZIMA Boxed Warning

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] . FETZIMA is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 ) ] . WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing infor...

FETZIMA Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to FETZIMA

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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

FETZIMA FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

FETZIMA is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors...

View full patent landscape →
3 OB patents · 2 families · 44 international docs across 21 countries

FETZIMA Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: May 2032
Exclusivity: Mar 2026

Patents (3 active)

US8865937 Expires May 23, 2032
US8481598 Expires Mar 2, 2031
USRE43879 Expires Jan 11, 2026

Exclusivity

M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
M-304 Until Mar 2026
Source: FDA Orange Book

Pro Intelligence Preview

Deep insights for FETZIMA

Revenue Insights

  • Quarterly revenue tracking
  • Historical trend analysis

Patent Timeline

  • Cliff: 2032
  • 48 active patents

Trial Analysis

  • 3 total trials
  • Stage: Declining

Competitive Landscape

  • 20 similar drugs
  • Same target/indication analysis
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Full approval history • All patents • Revenue trends • Competitor analysis

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.

How We Calculate These Metrics

Trial Activity Stage

Measures the current development activity pattern based on trial phases, status, and trends. Important: This measures R&D activity, not commercial lifecycle.

Trial statuses: "Active" means recruiting or ongoing. "Completed" means reached planned endpoint. "Terminated" means stopped early—often due to safety, efficacy, or business reasons.

  • Growth: High proportion of early-phase trials (Phase 1/2), active development
  • Expansion: Significant Phase 3 activity, approaching or pursuing approvals
  • Mature: Substantial Phase 4 post-marketing studies
  • Stable: Mixed phase distribution, steady development
  • Declining: Low active trial ratio, reduced R&D investment