Luvox (Fluvoxamine)

Description

Luvox uses fluvoxamine as the main ingredient in its composition. It is used to treat mental disorders such as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

 

It can be used to reduce the incidence of constant, unneeded thoughts (obsession) and the compulsion to see jobs done over and over again if they interfere with normal life.

 

Fluvoxamine is an SSRI, or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It affects the chemical composition of the brain in a way that restores balance of serotonin levels.

 

Luvox is also used in the treatment of anxiety, depression and PTSD.

 

Important data

 

Tell a doctor if you are allergic to Luvox or the main ingredient in it, or if you have allergies to any other natural or chemical factor.

 

Tell your doctor everything about your history of medical disorders. This includes a family history of disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, suicides, seizures, liver and kidney problems and glaucoma.

 

Luvox has the capability to make you lethargic and dizzy. If you are going to be driving or operating machinery, make sure that you are in your senses.

 

Do not drink alcohol while on Luvox. It could severely impair your cognition. If going in for surgery, tell the doctors all the medication you are on.

 

The side effects of Luvox are generally more common in older people and young children. Remember to monitor the growth of a child while on Luvox.

 

Do not take Luvox unless absolutely necessary if you are a pregnant woman. It is possible that it can adversely affect unborn children.

 

Using it in the last trimester is not recommended at all. Babies born of mothers who have done this can go through withdrawal from fluvoxamine.

 

These withdrawal symptoms include breathing difficulties, stiffness, weakness, seizures and unstoppable crying.

 

Mental disorders are very serious conditions indeed. Just because you can’t see physical effects doesn’t mean that they aren’t as bad when left untreated.

 

Do not stop taking Luvox unless your doctor tells you. Tell your doctor if you plan on becoming pregnant during your treatment. Never breastfeed while on Luvox.

 

 

 

Dosage

 

Follow the instructions provided in the included leaflet exactly. If it has been prescribed to you, follow the instructions provided in the prescription.

 

Mealtimes do not impact the effects of Luvox, so you can take it with or without food. Take the pills orally.

 

The usual dose is once a day, before bed, or twice a day in the morning and night. If the doses aren’t equal, take the larger before bedtime.

 

Dosage is prescribed based on the severity of your disorder, your response to the medication, your age and other factors.

 

Make sure you tell your doctor about other medicines that you are taking. The dosage is dependent on age and gender in children.

 

Do not take the drug in larger or smaller doses than has been advised by your doctor. Never take it for longer than you have been told to.

 

Taking bigger doses won’t make you better faster. Your risk of getting side effects will be impacted though.

 

Take Luvox regularly at about the same times every day. If you feel better, don’t stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

 

Missed doses and overdose

 

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you are about to take the next dose, ignore the one you missed. Never take extra to make up for it.

 

If you overdose, you might experience symptoms like rapid or slow pulse, difficulty breathing and seizures. Call your poison hotline and EMS immediately.

 

Side Effects

 

Common side effects include:

 

 Mild nausea
 Vomiting
 Lethargy
 Dizzy feeling
 Insomnia
 No appetite
 Weakness
 Sweating

 

More severe side effects include:

 

 Easy bruising
 Tremors
 Impotence
 Black stools
 Seizures
 Eye pain
 Vision changes
 Priapism (in males)

 

Call your doctor immediately if you experience these side effects.

 

NOTE: Luvox rarely causes serotonin toxicity. This makes the serotonin in your body harm you. Symptoms include hallucinations, imbalance, twitching, fever and severe discharge your mouth and digestive tract.

 

Contraindications

 

 Stop taking Luvox immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug.
 Don’t take medicine like ibuprofen and warfarin.
 Aspirin can react adversely with Luvox.
 MAO inhibitors can react and cause a fatal side effect.
 Limit your caffeine intake with Luvox.