Fluvoxamine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Luvox

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fluvoxamine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fluvoxamine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Fluvoxamine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that fluvoxamine may cause lower survival rates in offspring when given to the mother in doses less than the maximum recommended human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - Fluvoxamine passes into breast milk. However, the effects of this medicine in nursing babies are not known.

Children - This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Because fluvoxamine may cause weight loss or a decrease in appetite, children who will be taking fluvoxamine for a long time should have their weight and growth measured by the doctor regularly.

Fluvoxamine must be used with caution in children with depression. Studies have shown occurrences of children thinking about suicide or attempting suicide in clinical trials for this medicine. More study is needed to be sure fluvoxamine is safe and effective in children.

Older adults - Fluvoxamine has been tested in a limited number of older adults and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, fluvoxamine may be removed from the body more slowly in older adults and an older adult may receive a lower dose than a younger adult.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking fluvoxamine, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Alprazolam (e.g., Xanax) or
• Bromazepam (e.g., Lectopam) or
• Clozapine (e.g., Clozaril) or
• Metoprolol (e.g., Lopressor) or
• Midazolam (e.g., Versed) or
• Propranolol (e.g., Inderal) or
• Theophylline (e.g., Theo-Dur) or
• Triazolam (e.g., Halcion) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine [e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g., Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil]) or
• Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin) - Higher blood levels of these medicines may occur, causing unwanted effects. Your doctor may want to see you more often if you are taking one of these medicines with fluvoxamine. Your doctor may also change the dose of these medicines or may change you to a different medicine.

• Astemizole (e.g., Hismanal) or
• Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) or
• Terfenadine (e.g., Seldane) - Do not take any of these medicines while you are taking fluvoxamine or a very serious heart problem may occur.

• Buspirone (e.g., BuSpar) or
• Bromocriptine (e.g., Parlodel) or
• Dexfenfluramine (e.g., Redux) or
• Dextromethorphan (e.g., Robitussin DM) or
• Dihydroergotamine (e.g., D.H.E. 45) or
• Fenfluramine (e.g., Pondimin) or
• Levodopa (e.g., Sinemet) or
• Lithium (e.g., Eskalith) or
• Meperidine (e.g., Demerol) or
• Moclobemide (e.g., Manerex) or
• Nefazodone (e.g., Serzone) or
• Pentazocine (e.g., Talwin) or
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, other (fluoxetine [e.g., Prozac], paroxetine [e.g., Paxil], sertraline [e.g., Zoloft]) or
• Street drugs (LSD, MDMA [e.g., ecstasy], marijuana) or
• Sumatriptan (e.g., Imitrex) or
• Tramadol (e.g., Ultram) or
• Trazodone (e.g., Desyrel) or
• Tryptophan or
• Venlafaxine (e.g., Effexor) - Using these medicines with fluvoxamine may increase the chance of developing a rare, but very serious, unwanted effect known as the serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of this syndrome include agitation, confusion, diarrhea, fever, overactive reflexes, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or shaking, or twitching. If you develop these symptoms (usually three or more occur together) check with your doctor as soon as possible

• Diazepam (e.g., Valium) - Higher blood levels of diazepam may occur, causing unwanted effects. Taking diazepam while you are taking fluvoxamine is not recommended

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) - Do not take fluvoxamine while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking an MAO inhibitor , or you may develop agitation, coma, severe muscle stiffness, sudden high body temperature, or extremely high blood pressure. At least 14 days should be allowed between stopping treatment with one medicine and starting treatment with the other

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of fluvoxamine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Brain disease or mental retardation or
• Seizures, history of - The risk of seizures may be increased

• Liver disease - Higher blood levels of fluvoxamine may occur, increasing the chance of side effects

• Mania or hypomania, history of - The condition may be activated