Fluvoxamine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved fluvoxamine for the treatment of social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but not depression. Doctors may prescribe fluvoxamine to treat bulimia nervosa, nocturnal enuresis (incontinence of urine in children), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, panic disorder, and serious depression. Fluvoxamine is a serotonin-specific drug that increases brain levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin by preventing its absorption back into brain cells. Depression, OCD, and other mental Serotonin levels that are unusually low can lead to problems. Affected brain regions may undergo modifications as a result of this anomaly, giving rise to psychological symptoms like anxiety or sadness. high serotonin levels are thought to be the result of fluvoxamine and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and this might aid in the return of certain brain parts to normal function. the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), clomipramine, is an effective treatment for OCD alongside other SSRIs.

What is the recommended dose of Fluvoxamine

Starting fluvoxamine at nighttime with a single 50 mg dosage is advised. Every week, the dosage is raised by increments of 25–50 mg. The daily maximum dosage shouldn’t be more than 300 mg. Fluvoxamine should be taken twice a day, either evenly split, or with the bigger dose at bedtime when dosages exceed 100 mg/day. 
One way to get around the difficulty of twice-daily dosage is to use fluvoxamine CR, which may be taken as a single dose right before bed. Lower doses (50–100 mg/day) may be necessary for seniors and those with severe and chronic illnesses than for the general population.
When treating OCD in youngsters (8–17 years old), an initial dosage of 25 mg should be given as a single dosage at night. the dosage is raised by 25 mg every 5-7 days until a clinical response is shown. Children under the age of 11 should typically not take more than 200 mg per day. while teenagers may need to take more. the maximum daily dosage compared to that of a typical adult, 300 mg. girls generally can need smaller doses.

What is the common side effects of Fluvoxamine

When using Luvox, gastrointestinal disturbances mainly nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, or loose stools are the most commonly reported adverse effects. Other often mentioned adverse effects include jitters, anxiety, and difficulty falling asleep. On rare occasions, people may feel drowsy, sweat excessively, and have headaches.  Men and women may experience sexual dysfunction as a result of fluvoxamine. Men and women may experience sexual dysfunction as a result of fluvoxamine. Men’s and women’s delayed ejaculation and delayed orgasm are the reported sexual adverse effects. Some people could feel less motivated or Absence of desire for sexual relations. The negative effects on sexual function with fluvoxamine are often less common compared to paroxetine. Patients should talk to their doctor about these adverse effects, particularly if they persist 2-4 weeks after starting treatment. Patients should call their doctor right once if there are rash or other serious events.

What happens when you take an overdose of Fluvoxamine

Luvox, like other SSRIs, is far less dangerous to overdose on than some of the more recent antidepressants and the older TCAs. However, when fluvoxamine is taken in addition to other medications, deadly results have been documented. Treating any suspected overdose as an emergency is imperative. The individual has to be brought to the emergency space for care and observation. It is advisable to include both the prescription bottle of medication and any other medication suspected in the overdose, since the information on the label can be useful in helping the treating physician figure out how many tablets the patient has taken.

What is the effect of Fluvoxamine on Pregnancy and Lactation

Fluvoxamine is pregnancy category C. Luvox’s safety during pregnancy has not been investigated in female subjects. It is uncertain how the drug will affect the growing fetus in expectant mothers. However, difficulties necessitating extended hospital stays were seen in newborns exposed to antidepressants such SSRIs late in the third trimester, including respiratory assistance as well as tube feeding. Women who are or may become pregnant should talk to their physician about this. When they stop taking their antidepressant, some women may have depression relapse. so, it can be essential to resume taking the medicine or look for a different kind of drug or treatment. Fluvoxamine should not be taken by lactating women since minute quantities may enter breast milk and be consumed by the infant If giving up the substance is not an option.

What are the precautions taken while using Fluvoxamine

 Some people may experience sleepiness from fluvoxamine till they are convinced that fluvoxamine is not affecting their attention. patients should refrain from using machinery or driving. Individuals who have a history of severe reactions or who have a known allergy to fluvoxamine should avoid using this medication. Major depressive disorder may often be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy, or both. When treating moderate to severe depression, the combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants is highly successful. While treatment builds coping skills, the drugs enhance mood, appetite, sleep, energy, and overall health addresses any potential underlying problems and enhances behavior and mental habits.

the majority of those who take antidepressants report feeling better overall. Most people don’t notice any noticeable effects from their antidepressants until about 3–4 weeks, and it might take as long as that. minority of people may notice some improvement by the end of the first week. It takes 8 weeks for the drug to have full effect. Therefore, it is crucial that patients take their antidepressant for the whole recommended amount of time and that they do not give up and stop taking it too soon if they do not start feeling better right away.

Antidepressants have been shown in short-term trials to raise the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and actions in kids and teenagers suffering from severe depressive illness and other mental health issues. When initiating antidepressant medication in children and adolescents, the FDA mandates that the doctor disclose this risk. The FDA found that there is an age-related risk of suicide thoughts and actions when using antidepressants. This phenomenon is more likely to arise early in the course of therapy and is more common in younger populations. Antidepressant use did not seem to be associated with a higher incidence of suicidality in people over the age of 24, as compared to placebo use. The results demonstrated that antidepressants protected against suicide thoughts and actions in people over 65.

Suicide risk is a part of being depressed and might last until the patient responds to therapy. When beginning or discontinuing antidepressant therapy, the patient especially if they are a kid or adolescent should be the family or caregiver should express any concerns to the doctor, and the patient will be continuously monitored for worsening indications of depression.

you should always tell your doctor or your family when you have suicidal thoughts. Notify your family doctor or psychiatrist if you feel like you can’t control your suicide thoughts or desires or if your depression symptoms get worse. 

• Avoid stopping fluvoxamine suddenly. It is best to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid the symptoms of abrupt withdrawal.
• Take the missed dosage as soon as you remember, ideally no later than 1-2 hours after the planned dose. If the next planned dosage is approaching, skip the missed one and go on with your usual dosing regimen.
•  Avoid doubling the dose.
•  You can take Fluvoxamine with or without meals.
• Keep the medication out of direct sunlight and dampness in the light-resistant container that came with it. Your drug may break down more quickly in hot and humid environments, losing its therapeutic benefits.
• Make sure kids can’t get to your medication.

What are the possible drug interactions with Fluvoxamine

When used with some other drugs, fluvoxamine may have unfavorable drug interactions because one medication may change the other’s blood levels. When commencing any SSRI, warfarin medication should be closely watched since fluvoxamine may raise Coumadin levels and its anticoagulant effects, leading in bleeding. TCA levels and their potential for toxicity may rise with fluvoxamine. Clozapine levels may rise as a result of fluvoxamine leading to the possibility of negative side effects. Fluvoxamine has the potential to increase theophylline levels and result in toxicity; as such, it is important to regularly monitor theophylline levels. Carbamazepine Tegretol levels may rise as a result of Luvox, potentially leading to toxicity. Smoking may cause blood levels to drop and reduce Luvox’s efficacy. doses for smokers may need to be greater than for nonsmokers.

When used with Luvox, other drugs that increase serotonin, such as herbal supplements like St. John’s wort may cause an excess of that neurotransmitter and cause serotonin syndrome which is a fatal condition. Serotonin syndrome’s initial symptoms include tremors, flushing, restlessness, and confusion and uncontrollably jerking muscles. If the drugs are not discontinued, the patient may experience further potentially fatal side effects such as muscular weakness, a high fever, breathing issues, blood clotting issues, and red blood cell decomposition, which might result in abrupt renal failure. Therefore, those on fluvoxamine should be aware of the potential symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which call for stopping the serotonin-boosting drugs and seeking quick medical assistance. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), a class of antidepressants, should not be used with Luvox, as a result of the possibility of a toxic response with a spike in body temperature, a rise in blood pressure, and intense excitement and agitation. It is recommended that patients contact with their doctor or pharmacist prior to starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements Using Luvox. Alcohol should be avoided or used in moderation by patients on fluvoxamine since the combination may make depression worse.