Brand name: Luvox

Fluvoxamine is used for:

Treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type of antidepressant. It works by increasing the activity of a naturally occurring chemical in the brain called serotonin, which affects behavior.

Do NOT use Fluvoxamine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fluvoxamine
• you are taking alosetron, cisapride, cyproheptadine, dextromethorphan, fenfluramine and its derivatives, pimozide, astemizole, terfenadine, tramadol, l-tryptophan, a phenothiazine (eg, thioridazine), sibutramine, St. John's wort, or tizanidine
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fluvoxamine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Fluvoxamine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have stomach bleeding, seizures, mania, or a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fluvoxamine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cyproheptadine or risperidone because the effectiveness of Fluvoxamine may be decreased
• Anorexiants (eg, phentermine), buspirone, butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), dextromethorphan, fenfluramine and its derivatives, l-tryptophan, linezolid, lithium, metoclopramide, MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), selegiline, sumatriptan, tetracyclic antidepressants (eg, trazodone), or tramadol because serotonin syndrome (unexpected irritability, increased muscle tone, altered consciousness) may be increased
• Alosetron, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aripiprazole, aspirin, atypical antipsychotics (eg, clozapine), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), carbamazepine, cisapride, cyclosporine, galantamine, H₁ antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), lithium, methadone, mexiletine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), nefazodone, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, propafenone, risperidone, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (eg, atomoxetine), sibutramine, tacrine, tetracyclic antidepressants (eg, trazodone), theophylline, tizanidine, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Cisapride or sumatriptan because the effectiveness may be decreased by Fluvoxamine
• St. John's wort or trazodone because unexpected side effects may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fluvoxamine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fluvoxamine :

Use Fluvoxamine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Fluvoxamine comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Fluvoxamine refilled.
• Fluvoxamine may be taken with or without food.
• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Fluvoxamine.
• Continue to take Fluvoxamine even if you feel better.
• Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Fluvoxamine and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. If you miss a dose of Fluvoxamine and you are taking more than 1 dose daily, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fluvoxamine.

Important safety information:

• Fluvoxamine may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Fluvoxamine. Using Fluvoxamine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Fluvoxamine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in some children and teenagers. This risk may be higher in individuals with bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness), a family history of bipolar illness, or a history of attempting suicide. Pay close attention to changes in moods or actions, especially if changes occur suddenly. Contact your health care provider right away if any of the following effects occur or worsen: depression, anxiety, restlessness or irritability, panic attacks, thoughts or attempts of suicide, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.
• Several weeks (up to 8 weeks) may pass before you feel the full effect of Fluvoxamine.
• If you drink more than 3 alcohol-containing drinks a day, do not take Fluvoxamine without first discussing it with your doctor.
• Fluvoxamine is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 8 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed. Use Fluvoxamine with extreme caution in CHILDREN between 8 and 18 years of age.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Fluvoxamine , especially during the third trimester. Fluvoxamine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Fluvoxamine.

Do not suddenly stop taking Fluvoxamine without your doctor's approval. Stopping Fluvoxamine suddenly may cause serious WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including a state of feeling unwell or unhappy, abnormal skin sensations, agitation, anxiety, confusion, dizziness, sudden emotional swings, headache, inability to sleep, irritability, lethargy, nausea, or sweating. If use of Fluvoxamine is to be stopped, your doctor will gradually decrease the dose.

Possible side effects of Fluvoxamine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Change in taste; changes in sexual function; chills; constipation; delayed ejaculation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; flu-like symptoms; flushing; frequent urination; gas; headache; impotence; inability to have an orgasm; indigestion; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; sweating; tiredness; tooth disorder; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; difficulty swallowing; fast heartbeat; fever; impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, panic, hostility, irritability); pounding in the chest; seizures; severe nervousness or anxiety; severe restlessness; sleeplessness; suicidal thoughts or behaviors; tremor; vision problems; worsening of depression.