Information about Fluvoxamine (Generic Luvox) :


Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression and anxiety. It increases the activity of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. In that way it helps to elevate mood.
It may also be administered for other conditions as determined by your physician.

You should not use Fluvoxamine in the following cases: you are allergic to any ingredient in it; you are taking alosetron, cisapride, cyproheptadine, dextromethorphan, fenfluramine and its derivatives, pimozide, astemizole, terfenadine, tramadol, l-tryptophan, a phenothiazine (eg, thioridazine), sibutramine, St. John's wort, or tizanidine; you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days.

In such cases it is obligatory to consult with your doctor or health care provider before taking this drug.

Before using Fluvoxamine:
Before using Fluvoxamine you should tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions listed below: you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding a baby; you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; you have stomach bleeding, seizures, mania, or a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Be aware that Fluvoxamine may interact with some medicines. Consult with your health care provider in case you are taking any other drugs, especially any of the following: cyproheptadine or risperidone because the effectiveness of Fluvoxamine may be decreased; anorexiants (eg, phentermine), buspirone, butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), dextromethorphan, fenfluramine and its derivatives, l-tryptophan, linezolid, lithium, metoclopramide, MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), selegiline, sumatriptan, tetracyclic antidepressants (eg, trazodone), or tramadol because serotonin syndrome (unexpected irritability, increased muscle tone, altered consciousness) may be increased; alosetron, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aripiprazole, aspirin, atypical antipsychotics (eg, clozapine), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), carbamazepine, cisapride, cyclosporine, galantamine, H1 antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), lithium, methadone, mexiletine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), nefazodone, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, propafenone, risperidone, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (eg, atomoxetine), sibutramine, tacrine, tetracyclic antidepressants (eg, trazodone), theophylline, tizanidine, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased; cisapride or sumatriptan because the effectiveness may be decreased by Fluvoxamine; St. John's wort or trazodone because unexpected side effects may occur.

It may not be a complete list of all interactions with other drugs. To prevent any complications you should check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fluvoxamine:
Use this medicine as recommended by your physician. Fluvoxamine should be taken with or without food.

Do not eat grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Fluvoxamine.

Do not stop taking Fluvoxamine even if you feel better.

In case you miss a dose of Fluvoxamine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next intake, skip the missed dose and take it according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses to catch up.

Important safety information:
Be careful when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities as Fluvoxamine usage may lead to drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Try to avoid such activities. Alcohol and certain other medicines (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers, and depressants) may increase the risk of unfavorable reactions while taking Fluvoxamine.

Children and teenagers who take Fluvoxamine may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults may also be affected. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. The risk may also be greater in patients who have had bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, or if their family members have had it.

Look after patients who use Fluvoxamine closely. Contact the doctor immediately in case 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. Consult with your doctor immediately in case any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions take place.

You should know that improvement in your depression may start in several weeks (up to 8 weeks).

Do not take Fluvoxamine without medical consultation in case you drink more than 3 alcohol-containing drinks daily.

Do not use Fluvoxamine in CHILDREN younger than 8 years of age, as safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been proved.

It is recommended to use Fluvoxamine with extreme caution in CHILDREN between 8 and 18 years of age.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING:
In case you become pregnant, consult with your doctor and discuss the benefits and risks of using Fluvoxamine, especially during the third trimester. It is known that Fluvoxamine passes into breast milk. In case you are or will be breast-feeding a baby while you are using Fluvoxamine, consult with your doctor or pharmacist and discuss the risks to your baby.

Do not suddenly stop using Fluvoxamine without medical consultation, as you may experience serious WITHDRAWAL symptoms, such as including abnormal skin sensations, agitation, anxiety, a state of feeling unwell or unhappy, confusion, dizziness, headache, inability to sleep, irritability, lethargy, nausea, sudden emotional swings, and sweating. It is necessary to decrease your dose gradually.

Possible side effects of Fluvoxamine:
You should consult with your doctor in case you have any of side effects especially bothersome listed below: change in taste; changes in sexual function; chills; constipation; delayed ejaculation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; flu-like symptoms; flushing; frequent urination; gas; headache; impotence; inability to have an orgasm; indigestion; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; sweating; tiredness; tooth disorder; vomiting; weakness.

Seek emergency immediately in case you have any of these severe side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; difficulty swallowing; fast heartbeat; fever; impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, panic, hostility, irritability); pounding in the chest; seizures; severe nervousness or anxiety; severe restlessness; sleeplessness; suicidal thoughts or behaviors; tremor; vision problems; worsening of depression.

What is the expiration date of the pills?
This information is mentioned on each blister. The expiration date is 2 years from the date of manufacture.