Luvox (Fluvoxamine)

General information

Luvox belongs to the class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It works by increasing the amount of a neurotransmitter (a chemical found in the brain) called serotonin. This medication may also be used to treat depression and a certain type of eating disorder (bulimia).

Directions

Take Luvox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended adult dose ranges from 50 mg to 300 mg. Doses of up to 150 mg are taken once daily at bedtime. Doses above 150 mg are taken twice daily. The recommended starting dose for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder is 50 mg once daily. The maximum recommended dose is 300 mg once daily. Elderly people and those with liver problems may start with 20 mg once daily, and the dose should be increased only if necessary. Take this medication by mouth with or without food.

Precautions

Before taking Luvox you should talk with your doctor if you have bipolar disorder (manic depression), suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, heart attack, seizures, epilepsy, liver disease, liver failure, cirrhosis, intestinal ulcers, any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages. It can increase some of the side effects. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication.

Contraindications

You should not take Luvox if you are allergic to fluvoxamine or to any of the ingredients of the medication, are taking thioridazine, tizanidine, pimozide, MAO inhibitors (tranylcypromine, phenelzine, linezolid) within the last 14 days. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have drowsiness, abdominal pain, change in taste sensation, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, vomiting, increased sweating, dizziness, decreased appetite, frequent urination, headache, unusual tiredness, nausea, trembling or shaking, unusual weight gain or loss, bloody stools, twitchy muscles, rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, throat, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: antidepressants (clomipramine, amitriptyline, imipramine), medicines to treat psychiatric disorders (perphenazine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol), sedatives (alprazolam, triazolam, diazepam, midazolam), blood thinners (warfarin), antiarrhythmics (disopyramide, procainamide, quinidine), beta blockers (betaxolol, propranolol, metoprolol), seizure medications (oxcarbazepine, topiramate, phenytoin, carbamazepine), narcotic medications (methadone, levomethadyl), lithium, diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide), anticholinergics (clidinium, belladonna, clozapine, oxybutynin), carbamazepine. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, seizures, blurred vision, lack of coordination, nausea, vomiting.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.