What is Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Fluvoxamine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders involving recurring thoughts or actions.

Fluvoxamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

Do not take fluvoxamine together with thioridazine (Mellaril), terfenadine (Seldane), astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take fluvoxamine. After you stop taking fluvoxamine, you must wait at least 14 days before you can start taking an MAOI.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Fluvoxamine is FDA-approved for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not approved for treating depression in children. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking fluvoxamine, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

Do not use fluvoxamine if you are using any of the following drugs:

thioridazine (Mellaril);

terfenadine (Seldane);

astemizole (Hismanal);

cisapride (Propulsid); or

pimozide (Orap); or

an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).
Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with fluvoxamine. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take fluvoxamine. After you stop taking fluvoxamine, you must wait at least 14 days before you can start taking an MAOI.

Before taking fluvoxamine, tell your doctor if you have:

liver disease;

seizures or epilepsy;

bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

You may not be able to take fluvoxamine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking fluvoxamine, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. Fluvoxamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give fluvoxamine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Fluvoxamine is FDA-approved for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not approved for treating depression in children.

How should I take Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.
Take each dose with water.

Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better. Do not stop using fluvoxamine without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Store fluvoxamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Symptoms of a fluvoxamine overdose may include nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, lack of coordination, trouble breathing, drowsiness, fainting, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

Do not take fluvoxamine together with thioridazine (Mellaril), terfenadine (Seldane), astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of fluvoxamine.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, other medication for depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by fluvoxamine.
Fluvoxamine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Luvox (fluvoxamine) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;

seizure (convulsions);

problems with balance or coordination;

unusual thoughts or behavior; or

agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

feeling nervous, restless, or unable to sit still;

sleep problems (insomnia);

drowsiness, weakness;

urinating more than usual;

loss of appetite, weight gain or loss;

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, constipation, or upset stomach;

decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or

dry mouth, unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

You may have some side effects after you stop using fluvoxamine, including headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness or insomnia, nervousness, or agitation.

What other drugs will affect Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

Before taking fluvoxamine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

clozapine (Clozaril);

lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);

propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA) or metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL);

carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);

warfarin (Coumadin);

tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan);

mexiletine (Mexitil);

theophylline (Aerolate, Bronkodyl, Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur);

methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);

tacrine (Cognex);

almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion); or

any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use fluvoxamine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect fluvoxamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.