Luvox

Luvox (Fluvoxamine)

Luvox

Fluvoxamine tablet

What is it used for?

FLUVOXAMINE is an antidepressant. It is used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking this medicine?

Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:

• bipolar disorder
• liver disease
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to fluvoxamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How is this medicine should be taken?

Take it orally accompanied with a glass of water. You can take this medicine with or without food. Your doses should be taken at the regular intervals. You should never take this medicine more often than prescribed. You shouldn’t stop the treatment course unless your physician specifically advised you to do so.

Consult with your pediatrician regarding the possibility of use of this medicine by children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with the others.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you missed a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses; a single doze is sufficient for the purposes.

What are the possible interactions with the other medicine/food/etc?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• alosetron
• certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, and phentermine
• cisapride
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• pimozide
• procarbazine
• ramelteon
• ranolazine
• SSRIs like citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline
• St. John's Wort
• tizanidine
• tryptophan

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• carbamazepine
• clozapine
• diltiazem
• lithium
• migraine headache medicines
• medicines for anxiety or sleep problems like alprazolam or diazepam
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
• metoprolol
• mexiletine
• NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• other medicines used for mental problems like depression or psychosis
• phenytoin
• propranolol
• tacrine
• theophylline

This list is not all-inclusive and may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you are using. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.

Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking it?

Pay regular visits to your doctor or health care professional to undergo checks on your progress. Continue to take your medicine even if you do not immediately feel better. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect of this medicine.

Patients and their families should pay attention to the depression or suicidal thoughts that get worse. You should also keep an eye on the sudden or severe feeling changes such as anxiety, agitation, feeling panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or having trouble sleeping. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your doctor.

You may experience drowsiness or dizziness symptoms. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how exactly this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are a senior patient. This is to reduce the risk of possible dizziness or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Refrain from using alcohol at all costs.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients used in those medications can increase possible side effects for this drug.

Your might experience dry mouth symptom. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking a sugar candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Does this medicine have any possible side effects?

The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:

• allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching or hives,face, lips, or tongue swelling
• fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control
• hallucination, loss of contact with reality
• irregular, pounding heartbeat
• muscle spasms or weakness
• seizures
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusually tired or weak
• vomiting

The side effects listed below usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):

• change in sex drive or performance
• diarrhea or constipation
• difficulty sleeping
• headache
• increased sweating
• loss of appetite
• tremors

Other side effects are also possible, the above list is not all inclusive.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach.

This medicine should be stored at the room temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep away from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.