Drug Name

Luvox (Fluvoxamine)

Drug Uses

Luvox is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders involving recurring thoughts or actions.

It relieves the anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that make a person repeat everyday tasks (like hand-washing).

How Taken

Use Luvox as directed by your doctor.

• Take Luvox by mouth with food to decrease stomach upset.
• Take your doses at regular intervals.
• Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
• Do not stop taking except on your prescriber advice.

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

Drug Class and Mechanism

Luvox is also used as an antidepressant, and may be used to treat other conditions such as panic disorder, premenstrual syndrome, or traumatic stress.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Luvox, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Luvox at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Luvox out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Luvox if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Luvox.
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., phenelzine), selegiline, or St. John's wort within the last 14 days;
• you are taking alosetron, cisapride, a fenfluramine derivative (e.g., dexfenfluramine), an H antagonist (e.g., astemizole, terfenadine), nefazodone, pimozide, ramelteon, sibutramine, thioridazine, or tizanidine.
• you are recovering from a recent heart attack.

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

Important :

• Luvox may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Luvox with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Luvox ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Several weeks may pass before your symptoms improve. Do not take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use Luvox for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Luvox may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Luvox closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking Luvox , you will need to wait for several weeks before beginning to take certain other medicines (e.g., MAOIs, nefazodone). Ask your doctor when you should start to take your new medicines after you have stopped taking Luvox.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can rarely be caused by Luvox . Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptomsg.
• Luvox may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Luvox may cause harm to the fetus if it is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Luvox while you are pregnant. Luvox is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Luvox.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• 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.

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

• 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).

More Information

Luvox is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.