About Luvox
Luvox (fluvoxamine) is used to reduce symptoms of obsessive
compulsive disorder. Luvox is sometimes prescribed to treat
other disorders such as depression, panic attacks, binging,
and social anxiety disorder.
Luvox belongs to a group of antidepressant drugs called SSRIs
(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), which are thought
to work by increasing the amount of serotonin (a chemical
involved in communication between nerve cells) available to
the brain, so that it comes back to a normal level. Low levels
of serotonin are believed to be associated with mood disorders,
and high levels of serotonin seem to have an antidepressant
effect.
Luvox is only available by prescription. It may take 4 to
14 days for Luvox to start reducing symptoms as neurotransmitter
levels normalize. This medication gives best results when
used regularly and consistently according to the schedule
worked out with your doctor.
Luvox Side Effects
Common Side Effects: Abnormal ejaculation, anxiety,
change in sexual desire, dry mouth, gas, indigestion, loss
of appetite, nausea, nervousness, tooth decay, tremor, vomiting.
Less Common Side Effects: Allergic reaction, breathing
difficulties, change in mood, chills, constipation, depression,
diarrhea, difficulty urinating, dizziness, drowsiness, eye
disorders, fever, hair loss, headache, heartbeat irregularities,
hives, intestinal problems, itching, joint pain, liver problems,
rash, skin inflammation or discoloration, twitching, vertigo,
vision problems, yellowing of skin and eyes, weakness.
Symptoms of Overdose May Include: Change in heartbeat,
coma, diarrhea, low blood pressure, nausea, seizures, or vomiting.
Notify your doctor and seek immediate medical attention if
you suspect overdose, have an allergic reaction or if side
effects are severe.
Luvox may cause drowsiness. Take care to avoid operating
a vehicle or other heavy machinery until you know how you
react to Luvox.
Cautions: This medication may not be suitable for
everyone. Consult your doctor if you have any history of the
following conditions.
- Allergy: If you are allergic to any medication,
you should not take it. Exercise caution if you have ever
had an allergic reaction to any other SSRI medication. Inform
your doctor and pharmacist of any food or dye allergies.
- Brain Disease: Increased risk of seizure.
- Liver Disease: Medication may build up in the bloodstream,
dosage may need to be lowered.
- Mania, Hypomania: Condition may be activated.
- Mental Retardation: Increased risk of seizure.
- Pregnancy: This medication has not been tested
for safety in pregnancy. Causes higher rates of miscarriage
in animal testing.
- Seizure Disorder, Epilepsy: Increased risk of seizure.
Do not abruptly stop taking this medication. Step off it
gradually according to your doctor's instructions when your
treatment is completed.
Luvox Interactions
Certain medications and supplements may interfere or may be dangerous when combined with Luvox. Notify your doctor of all medications and supplements you are taking or plan to take.
Notify your doctor of all food and drug allergies before taking Luvox.
Luvox interactions with the some of following drugs may be limited by following your doctor's advice. Always tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Alcohol - Avoid alcohol while taking Luvox.
- Anafranil (clomipramine) - May have toxic effects when
combined with Luvox.
- Anticonvulsants such as Cerebyx (fosphenytoin), Dilantin
(phenytoin), Sinemet (carbidopa, levodopa), or Tegretol
(carbamazepine) may require patient monitoring when
used with Luvox.
- Appetite suppressants like Phentermine/Adipex
(fastin), Pondimin (fenfluramine), or Meridia
(sibutramine) may cause serious and dangerous side effects
in combination, do not combine these therapies.
- Astemizole - Do not combine with Luvox.
- Azole antifungals such as Diflucan
(fluconazole), Nizoral
(ketoconazole), or Sporanox
(itraconazole), may alter your heartbeat if used with
Luvox.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic
agents, and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan
(lorazepam), Valium
(diazepam), Halcion
(triazolam), Restoril
(temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide),
Xanax (alprazolam),
Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam),
Klonopin (clonazepam)
should be used cautiously with Luvox.
- Beta Blockers - Drugs like Inderal
(propranolol), Lopressor
(metoprolol), Tenormin
(atenolol), and others may build up in the body to toxic
levels when combined with SSRIs. Your doctor may adjust
dosages to compensate
- BuSpar (buspirone)
- Do not combine.
- Cardizem (diltiazem)
- Increases levels of diltiazem.
- Cisapride - Do not combine with Luvox.
- Clozaril (clozapine) - May cause toxic levels of clozapine
when combined with Luvox.
- Cognex (tacrine) - May lead to toxicity when combined
with Luvox.
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- may cause bleeding problems when used with Luvox.
- Dextromethorphan - May have interaction with Luvox.
- Desyrel (trazodone) - Increases
likelihood of developing serotonin syndrome.
- Diabetes medications - Talk to your doctor about possible
interactions with oral diabetes medications.
- Diuretics - There may be adverse effects on salt levels
when combined with Luvox.
- Effexor (venlafaxine)
- When used with Celexa, increases the chance of developing
the rare, but serious, side effect known as serotonin syndrome.
- Ginseng - May act as an MAO inhibitor, do not combine.
- Herbal supplements - Talk to your doctor about interactions
before taking herbal supplements.
- Hismanal (astemizole) - Caution, do not combine with Luvox.
- Indian Snakeroot - Do not combine.
- Kava kava - Acts centrally in the nervous system, do
not combine with Luvox.
- Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- Combine with caution, dosage adjustments may be required.
- Ma Huang - Do not combine.
- MAO inhibitors - Luvox must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors, a class of antidepressants and antisenility
drugs, such as Eldepryl (selegiline), Furoxone (furazolidone),
Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), or Parnate
(tranylcypromine). Never use Luvox within 5-6 weeks of starting
or stopping an MAO inhibitor. This drug interaction could
cause severe heart problems or death. Patients over 65 should
allow a longer wait period between using Luvox and an MAO,
as these medications may stay in their system longer than
in other patients.
- Maprotiline - May increase levels of maprotiline and cause
toxicity when combined.
- Marijuana - Do not combine Luvox with marijuana.
- Methadone - Notify your doctor if you take this medication.
- Migraine medications of the triptan class such as Amerge
(naratriptan), Imitrex
(sumatriptan), Maxalt
(rizatriptan), or Zomig (zolmitriptan) can cause coordination
difficulties when mixed with SSRIs.
- Norvir (ritonavir) - May cause toxic levels when combined
with Luvox.
- Orap (pimozide) - Consult your doctor before combining
with Luvox.
- Propulsid (cisapride) - Caution, do not combine with Luvox.
- Quinidex (quinidine) - Notify your doctor if you take
this medication.
- Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - Luvox may cause increased
levels of cyclosporine.
- Seldane (terfenadine) - Caution, do not combine with Luvox.
- St. John's Wort - May raise serotonin levels too high,
do not combine.
- Tagamet (cimetidine)
- May have toxic effects when combined with Luvox.
- Theophylline (Theo-Dur)
- May cause toxic levels of theophylline when combined with
Luvox.
- Tikosyn (dofetilide) - Your doctor may decrease your dose
of this medication to prevent increased blood levels.
- Tobacco - Notify your doctor if you smoke. Dosage may
need to be adjusted.
- Tofranil (imipramine) - May cause toxic levels of imipramine
when combined with Luvox.
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol) or Thorazine
(chlorpromazine) may cause adverse reactions. Consult your
doctor before combining with Luvox.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor
(nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine),
may increase the risk of side effects from Luvox. The use
of Luvox with Elavil, Anafranil, or Tofranil can increase
the chance of developing serotonin syndrome.
- Tryptophan or 5-HTP (Contained in certain amino acid supplements
or by itself) - This supplement may increase the risk of
serotonin syndrome when mixed with Luvox.
- Ultram (Tramadol) -
May increase the risk of seizure, avoid this combination.
- Valerian- Do not combine with Luvox.
- Yohimbe - Do not use yohimbe while taking Luvox.
- Zyprexa (olanzapine) - May cause toxic levels of olanzapine
when combined with Luvox.
Talk with your doctor if you are considering mixing an antidepressant and anxiety medication like Luvox with any other antidepressant, or any medication that may cause drowsiness. Anxiety medication can have increased, unexpected, or severe side effects when mixed with other medications that affect the central nervous system.
Luvox Dosages
Luvox dosages usually begin at 50 mg/day at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose gradually if needed and tolerated up to a maximum of 300 mg/day. If the daily dose is greater than 100 mg, your doctor may instruct you to take a smaller dose twice per day. If you are planning to stop taking Luvox, ask your doctor about reducing your dose gradually. It is not usually recommended for patients to stop Luvox all at once.
Luvox may effect the following conditions and may require lower dosages or careful monitoring. Notify your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
Heart problems, high or low sodium levels, kidney problems, liver problems, mania, seizures, suicidal thoughts.
Luvox Directions
Luvox is normally taken once a day at bedtime, and can be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the following day.
Luvox should be stopped slowly, by gradually decreasing dosage as directed by your doctor. Suddenly stopping Luvox treatment can cause increased side effects.
Luvox should be stored away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Luvox away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.
Luvox and Pregnancy
Luvox has not adequately been studied in humans for safety during pregnancy. This medication is not generally recommended for pregnant women.
Advise your doctor if you are pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy if you are considering taking Luvox.
Luvox appears in breast milk and may be passed on to the child. Talk to your doctor about the risks of breastfeeding while taking Luvox.
Luvox and Children
Luvox has not been studied for use in children.
Luvox and Seniors
Luvox stays in the system longer in patients 65 years old. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.
Luvox is a trademark of Solvay
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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