Luvox

Luvox

     * Generic Name: fluvoxamine maleate tablets
     * Brand Name: Luvox


     * What is fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * What are the possible side effects of fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox
       CR)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * How should I take fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * What should I avoid while taking fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * What other drugs will affect fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?
     * Where can I get more information (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

What is fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
   antidepressant. Fluvoxamine affects chemicals in the brain that may
   be unbalanced in people with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

   Fluvoxamine is used to treat social anxiety disorder (social
   phobia), or obsessive-compulsive disorders involving recurring thoughts
   or actions.

   Fluvoxamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   skin rash, blisters, or hives; fever, joint pain; difficult
   breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

   Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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;
     * anxiety, racing thoughts, risk-taking behavior, sleep problems
       (insomnia), feelings of extreme happiness or irritability;
     * blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or
       seeing halos around lights;
     * seizure (convulsions);
     * changes in weight or appetite;
     * easy bruising or unusual bleeding;
     * low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, memory
       problems, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling
       unsteady; or
     * severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high
       fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors,
       feeling like you might pass out.

   Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin
   syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating,
   shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of
   coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

   Common side effects may include:
     * drowsiness, dizziness;
     * shaking, feeling anxious;
     * depressed mood;
     * sleep problems (insomnia);
     * upset stomach, gas, loss of appetite;
     * nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
     * dry mouth, yawning;
     * sore throat;
     * muscle pain;
     * sweating, rash;
     * heavy menstrual periods; or
     * decreased sex drive, abnormal ejaculation, trouble having an
       orgasm.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

   You should not take fluvoxamine if you are also using alosetron,
   pimozide, ramelteon, thioridazine, or tizanidine.

   Do not use fluvoxamine within 14 days before or 14 days after you have
   taken an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid,
   methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline,
   and tranylcypromine.

   Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
   antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report
   any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

   Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin
   syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating,
   shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of
   coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

   Do not stop using desvenlafaxine without first talking to your doctor.

   Luvox Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Stress Pictures Slideshow: 10 Ways to Stop Stress

   Tips to Fast Stress Relief
   Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

   Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Panic Attacks Quiz!

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

   You should not take fluvoxamine if you are allergic to it, or if you
   are also using alosetron, pimozide, ramelteon, thioridazine, or
   tizanidine.

   Do not use fluvoxamine within 14 days before or 14 days after you have
   taken an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO
   inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection,
   phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

   To make sure fluvoxamine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
   ever had:
     * liver or kidney disease;
     * narrow-angle glaucoma;
     * heart disease, high blood pressure, or a stroke;
     * a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
     * seizures or epilepsy;
     * bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
     * low levels or sodium in your blood (an electrolyte imbalance).

   Some medicines can interact with fluvoxamine and cause a serious
   condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you
   also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or
   medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease,
   migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea
   and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when
   you take your medications.

   Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
   antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular
   visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes
   in your mood or symptoms.

   Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this
   medicine. Fluvoxamine may cause serious lung problems or other
   complications in a newborn if you take the medication during late
   pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of OCD symptoms if you
   stop taking fluvoxamine. Do not start or stop taking this medicine
   during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.

   Fluvoxamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You
   should not breast-feed while you are using fluvoxamine.

   Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18 years old without medical
   advice.

How should I take fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Fluvoxamine is usually taken at night. Follow all directions on your
   prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do
   not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
   recommended.

   You may take fluvoxamine with or without food.

   Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow
   it whole.

   You should not stop using fluvoxamine suddenly. Follow your doctor's
   instructions about tapering your dose.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle
   tightly closed when not in use.

   Luvox Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Stress Pictures Slideshow: 10 Ways to Stop Stress

   Tips to Fast Stress Relief
   Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

   Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Panic Attacks Quiz!

What happens if I miss a dose (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of fluvoxamine.

   Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
   (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes
   aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib
   (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and
   others. Using an NSAID with fluvoxamine may cause you to bruise or
   bleed easily.

   Fluvoxamine may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or
   operating machinery until you know how fluvoxamine will affect you.

What other drugs will affect fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Taking fluvoxamine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen
   this effect. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, opioid
   medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or
   seizures.

   Many drugs can interact with fluvoxamine. Not all possible interactions
   are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and
   any you start or stop using, especially:
     * methadone, mexiletine, St. John's wort,
       theophylline, tramadol, tryptophan (also called
       L-tryptophan);
     * a diuretic or "water pill";
     * a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
     * medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, thought disorders, or
       mental illness--such as clozapine, lithium,
       antidepressants, or antipsychotics;
     * migraine headache medicine--sumatriptan, rizatriptan,
       zolmitriptan, and others; or
     * a sedative--diazepam, alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam,
       Valium, Xanax.

   This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with
   fluvoxamine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
   vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any
   healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information (Luvox, Luvox CR)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluvoxamine.
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