Fluvoxamine

Uses of Fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won’t go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over) and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Fluvoxamine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.

Precautions and Warnings

Before taking fluvoxamine:

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluvoxamine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in fluvoxamine tablets and extended-release capsules. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients..

Tell your doctor if you are taking alosetron (Lotronex), pimozide (Orap), ramelteon (Rozerem), tizanidine (Zanaflex), or thioridazine. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take fluvoxamine.

Tell your doctor if you are taking the following medications or if you have stopped taking them within the past 14 days: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue; phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take fluvoxamine. If you stop taking fluvoxamine, you should wait at least 14 days before you start to take an MAO inhibitor.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, and vitamins you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); amphetamines; anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin or aspirin-containing products and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); beta-blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol) and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran); buspirone; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others); clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); dextromethorphan (in cough medications); diazepam (Valium, Valtoco); diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac, others); diuretics (‘water pills’); fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Onsolis, others); haloperidol (Haldol); ketoconazole; lithium (Lithobid); medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan, rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); methadone (Methadose); mexiletine; metoclopramide; midazolam (Seizalam); omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid); other medications for anxiety, depression, or mental illness; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); tacrine (Cognex); theophylline (Theo-24, Theochron); tramadol (Conzip, Qdolo, Ultram, in Ultracet); triazolam (Halcion); and quinidine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with fluvoxamine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.

Tell your doctor what herbal products and nutritional supplements you are taking, especially products that contain St. John’s wort and tryptophan.

Tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol or have used street drugs or have overused prescription medications. Also tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack, if you have low sodium levels in the blood; or if you have or have ever had bleeding problems; seizures; or heart, kidney, or liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, or if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluvoxamine, call your doctor. Fluvoxamine may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last months of pregnancy.

If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking fluvoxamine.

You should know that this medication may make you drowsy or affect your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. You should not drink alcohol while taking fluvoxamine.

Tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

You should know that fluvoxamine may cause angle-closure glaucoma (a condition where the fluid is suddenly blocked and unable to flow out of the eye causing a quick, severe increase in eye pressure which may lead to a loss of vision). Talk to your doctor about having an eye examination before you start taking this medication. If you have nausea, eye pain, changes in vision, such as seeing colored rings around lights, and swelling or redness in or around the eye, call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment right away.

Dosage

This medicine is usually is taken either once daily at bedtime or twice daily, once in the morning and once at bedtime.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Indigestion, upset stomach, loss of appetite
• Sleepiness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Sexual problems
• Dry mouth
• Stuffy nose, sore throat
• Unusual taste
• Peeing more often
• Muscle pain
• Yawning