Luvox

Brand Names

Fluvoxamine, Luvox, Luvox CR

What is Luvox

Luvox is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs which function as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. Fluvoxamine affects unbalanced chemicals in the brain. These components can cause obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The medication is aimed for treating social anxiety disorder or social phobia.

Side effects of Luvox

The medication can cause the following side effects:

• back pain
• breast enlargement and/or tenderness
• cough
• decreased amount of semen released during sex
• decreased sexual desire or ability
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• light-headedness
• runny or stuffy nose
• sinus inflammation
• sore throat
• trouble sleeping
• weakness

Indication

The primary aim of fluvoxamine is treating social anxiety disorder (social phobia) or obsessive-compulsive disorders involving recurring thoughts or actions. It is effective in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders which involve recurring thoughts or actions. The medicine is also used for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Luvox has likeness for the dopamine transporter or any other receptor, with the sole exception of the σ1 receptor. It works as a potentagonist at this receptor and contributes anxiolytic effects inside the brain.

Precautions

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to:

• alosetron (Lotronex)
• izanidine (Zanaflex)
• thioridazine (Mellaril);pimozide (Orap)
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect) or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam)
• fluvoxamine

You should also inform your doctor if you have:

• liver disease
• seizures or epilepsy
• bipolar disorder (manic depression)
• a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts

Dosage forms

The medication is available in capsules. The dose of the medicine should be prescribed by your doctor. You should not take the medication in larger amounts thah your prescription says. The regular dose of Luvox for people with OCD is 50 mg with or without food once daily at bedtime. It is important not crush, chew or open a capsule. You should not stop the treatment suddenly in order to avoid health problems.