FLUVOXAMINE (Luvox®) helps people with an obsessive-compulsive disorder. It relieves the anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that make a person repeat everyday tasks (like hand-washing). Fluvoxamine is also used as an antidepressant, and may be used to treat other conditions such as panic disorder, premenstrual syndrome, or traumatic stress
Luvox
Generic name: Fluvoxamine
Fluvoxamine tablets
What are fluvoxamine tablets?
FLUVOXAMINE (Luvox®) helps people with an obsessive-compulsive disorder. It relieves the anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that make a person repeat everyday tasks (like hand-washing). Fluvoxamine is also used as an antidepressant, and may be used to treat other conditions such as panic disorder, premenstrual syndrome, or traumatic stress. Generic fluvoxamine tablets are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- heart disease
- history of manic illness
- liver disease
- seizures (convulsions)
- suicidal thoughts
- tobacco smoker
- an unusual or allergic reaction to fluvoxamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take fluvoxamine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. You may take fluvoxamine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with fluvoxamine?
Fluvoxamine has the potential to interact with a variety of medications, check with your healthcare professional. The following list contains some of these interactions.
Do not take fluvoxamine with any of the following medications:
- astemizole (Hismanal®)
- cisapride (Propulsid®)
- pimozide (Orap®)
- ramelteon (Rozerem.)
- terfenadine (Seldane®)
- thioridazine (Mellaril®)
- medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), selegiline (Eldepryl®)
Fluvoxamine may also interact with the following medications:
- alcohol
- amphetamine
- caffeine
- carbamazepine
- certain diet drugs (dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine)
- cimetidine
- dextroamphetamine
- dextromethorphan
- diltiazem
- dofetilide
- doxercalciferol
- ergonovine
- grapefruit juice
- kava kava
- linezolid
- medications for the treatment of HIV infection or AIDS
- melatonin
- migraine headache medicines (almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methysergide)
- medications for anxiety or sleep problems; examples include alprazolam or diazepam
- methylergonovine
- metoprolol
- other medicines used for mental problems like depression or psychosis
- paricalcitol
- propranolol
- sildenafil
- some medicines for the treatment of pain
- St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
- theophylline
- tizanidine
- valerian
- verapamil
- voriconazole
- warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking fluvoxamine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control
- irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- muscle spasms or weakness
- seizures (convulsions)
- skin rash
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- agitation or restlessness
- anxiety or nervousness
- daytime drowsiness
- diarrhea or constipation
- difficulty sleeping
- dry mouth
- headache
- increased sweating
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- sexual difficulties (decreased sexual desire or ability)
- tremor (shaking)
What should I watch for while taking fluvoxamine?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Continue to take your tablets even if you do not immediately feel better. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect of fluvoxamine. If you get suicidal thoughts, extreme agitation, or inability to sleep or sit still, call your prescriber or health care professional at once.
If you have been taking fluvoxamine regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or your symptoms may get worse. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how fluvoxamine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
In general, do not drink grapefruit juice if you are taking fluvoxamine. If you have been drinking grapefruit juice with fluvoxamine that was previously prescribed, discuss this with your health care provider. If you stop drinking grapefruit juice, your dose of fluvoxamine may need to be adjusted.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking fluvoxamine.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What is the shelf life of the pills?
- The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
