Fluvoxamine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Fluvoxamine?

What is fluvoxamine for?

Fluvoxamine is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive mental conditions (OCD). This medication helps control persistent thinking (obsession) and urges to perform repetitive tasks (urges such as washing hands, counting, checking) that interfere with everyday life. Fluvoxamine belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This drug works by helping to restore the balance of a certain brain chemical called serotonin that helps manage thoughts and moods.

This medication can also be used to treat depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

How to use fluvoxamine?

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Use this medication with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily at bedtime, or twice daily (once in the morning and once at bedtime). If you are taking this medication twice a day with a dose that is not the same, then any dose greater than 2 should be taken at bedtime.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, age, and other medications you may be using. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription, nonprescription, and herbal products). In children, the dosage is also based on their age and gender. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this drug at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any sooner, and the risk of side effects will increase. Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day.

It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions can get worse when this drug suddenly stops. Also, you may experience symptoms such as mood swings, headaches, fatigue, sleep changes, and a brief feeling similar to an electric shock. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this medicine, your doctor may reduce the dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report new or worsening symptoms right away.

It may take up to several weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse.

How is fluvoxamine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Fluvoxamine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the fluvoxamine dosage for adults?

Usual adult dosage for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Initial dose of immediate-release tablet: 50 mg orally once a day at bedtime.

Maintenance dose: 100 to 300 mg per day. The dose may be increased in 50 mg increments every 4 - 7 days, if tolerated, until optimal therapeutic benefit is achieved.

Maximum dose: 300 mg per day.
It is recommended that a total daily dose of more than 100 mg should be given in two divided doses. If the doses are not the same, a larger dose should be given at bedtime.

Initial dose of extended-release capsule: 100 mg once per day.

Fluvoxamine in extended-release capsule form should be given, with or without food, as a single dose at bedtime.

In controlled clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of the extended-release capsule version of fluvoxamine in cases of OCD, the dose in patients was titrated up to 50 mg gradually in the dosage range of 100 - 300 mg / day. As a result, the dosage should be increased to 50 mg weekly, if tolerated, until optimal therapeutic benefit is achieved, but not more than 300 mg per day.

The usual adult dosage for depression

Researched:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day at bedtime

Maintenance dose: 100 - 300 mg per day. The dosage may be increased in 50 mg increments every 4 - 7 days, if tolerated, until optimal therapeutic benefit is achieved. Total daily doses of more than 100 mg should be given in two divided doses. If the doses are not the same, a larger dose should be given at bedtime.

The usual adult dosage for Panic Disorder

Researched:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day at bedtime

Maintenance dose: 100 - 300 mg per day. The dose may be increased to 50 mg gradually every 4 - 7 days, if tolerated, until optimal therapeutic benefit is achieved. Total daily doses of more than 100 mg should be given in two divided doses. If the doses are not the same, a larger dose should be given at bedtime.

The usual adult dosage for Social Anxiety Disorder

Initial dose of extended-release capsule: 100 mg 1 time per day.

Fluvoxamine extended-release capsules should be given, with or without food, as a single dose at bedtime.

In controlled clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of the extended-release capsule version of fluvoxamine in cases of social anxiety disorder, the patient dose was titrated up to 50 mg gradually in a dose range of 100 - 300 mg / day. As a result, the dosage should be increased to 50 mg weekly, if tolerated, until optimal therapeutic benefit is achieved, but not more than 300 mg per day.

What is the fluvoxamine dosage for children?

Usual pediatric dosage for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

8 - 11 years:

Initial dose of immediate-release tablet: 25 mg orally once a day at bedtime.

Maintenance dose: 25 - 100 mg orally twice a day. The dose may be increased to 25 mg incrementally every 4 - 7 days, if tolerated, to a maximum dose of 200 mg per day. A total daily dose of more than 50 mg should be given in two divided doses. If the two divided doses are unequally, the larger dose should be given at bedtime.

11 - 17 years:

Initial dosage:

Immediate-release: 25 mg orally once a day at bedtime.

Maintenance dose: 25-150 mg orally twice a day. The dose may be increased to 25 mg incrementally every 4 - 7 days, if tolerated, to a maximum dose of 300 mg per day. A total daily dose of more than 50 mg should be given in two divided doses. If the two divided doses are unequally, the larger dose should be given at bedtime

In what dosage is fluvoxamine available?

Fluvoxamino is available in the following dosages.

• 24-hour extended-release capsule, oral, maleate: 100 mg, 150 mg
• tablet, orally: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Fluvoxamine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to fluvoxamine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms with your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, restless, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mental or physical), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor if you have:

• seizures (convulsions)
• changes in body weight or appetite
• easy bruising or unusual bleeding
• uncontrolled frantic thoughts, reckless behavior (easy risk-taking), feelings of extreme happiness or irritability
• irritability, hallucinations, overactive reflexes, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeat, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;
• headache, slurred speech, severe weakness, muscle cramps, feeling unstable, shallow breathing (breathing may stop);

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, diarrhea, gas, loss of appetite
• increased sweating, mild skin rash
• dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, yawning
• anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia)
• dry mouth, sore throat
• heavy menstrual periods
• muscle ache
• decreased sex drive, normal ejaculation, difficulty orgasm

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Fluvoxamine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using fluvoxamine?

Before using Flutamide, contact your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluvoxamine, other drugs, or any of the ingredients in fluvoxamine tablets and extended-release capsules. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of ingredients.

Call your doctor if you are taking allosetron (Lotronex), astemizol (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), Ramelteon (Rozerem), tertenadine (Seldane), Tizanidine (Zanaflex), or thioridazine. Your doctor may tell you not to take fluvoxamine.

Call your doctor if you are taking the following medicines or if you have stopped using them in the last 14 days: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors; phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor may tell you not to take fluvoxamine. If you stop taking fluvoxamine, you should wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAO inhibitor.

Contact your doctor and pharmacist for any prescription, nonprescription, and vitamin medicines you are taking, or plan to take. Be sure to mention one of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); anticoagulants (blood thinners) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; beta-blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol) and propranolol (Inderal, in Inderide); buspirone (BuSpar); carbamazepine (Tegretol); clopidogrel (Plavix), clozapine (Clozaril); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); dextromethorphan (in cough medicine); diazepam (Valium); diltiazem (Cardizem); diuretics (water pills); fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Onsolis, others); haloperidol (Haldol); ketoconazole (Nizoral); lithium; medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), Naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); mexiletine (Mexitil); metoclopramide; midazolam (); omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid); other medications for anxiety, depression, or mental illness; phenytoin (Dilantin); sibutramine (Meridia); tacrine (Cognex); theophylline (Theo-Dur); tramadol (Ultram, on Ultracet); triazolam (Halcion); and quinidine. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Tell your doctor what herbal products and nutritional supplements you are taking, especially products containing St John's wort and tryptophan.

Tell your doctor if you have ever drank large amounts of alcohol, used drugs, or abused prescription drugs excessively. Also tell your doctor if you have had seizures, heart, kidney, adrenal, or liver disease.

Call your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluvoxamine, contact your doctor. Fluvoxamine can cause problems in the newborn after delivery if it is taken during the last months of pregnancy.

If you're having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor to use fluvoxamine.

You should know that this medication may make you sleepy or affect your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.

Note that alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this drug. You should not drink alcohol while taking fluvoxamine.

Tell your doctor if you smoke. Smoking can decrease the effectiveness of this drug.

You should know that fluvoxamine can cause angle-closure glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that can cause loss of vision). Talk with your doctor about having an eye exam before you start taking this medicine. If you experience nausea, eye pain, vision changes, such as seeing colored circles around lights, and swelling or redness in or around the eyes, contact your doctor or get emergency medical care right away.

Is fluvoxamine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following FDA reference pregnancy risk categories:
• A = no risk
• B = no risk in some studies
• C = there may be some risks
• D = positive evidence of risk
• X = contraindicated
• N = unknown

Fluvoxamine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with fluvoxamine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Taking fluvoxamine with other medicines that make you drowsy or slow your breathing can increase the side effects of the drug. Ask your doctor before taking fluvoxamine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxer, or medication for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with fluvoxamine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and whether you recently started or have stopped using fluvoxamine, especially:

• methadone, mexiletine, St. John's wort, theophylline, tramadol, tryptophan
• a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven
• medications to treat mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental disorders such as clozapine, lithium, antidepressants, or antipsychotics
• headache medicine - sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, etc.
• sedatives - diazepam, alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam, Valium, Xanax.

Can food or alcohol interact with fluvoxamine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Using this medication with one of the following is usually not recommended, but may not be avoided in some cases. When used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use these drugs, or give specific instructions about use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• tobacco

What health conditions can interact with fluvoxamine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• bipolar disorder (mental illness with mania and depression), history
• bleeding problems
• glaucoma
• hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood)
• mania (feelings of joy), history
• convulsions (convulsions), or a history of it - use with caution. It might make things worse
• liver disease - use with caution. The effect may increase due to the slow excretion of the drug from the body.

Fluvoxamine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:
Dilated pupils (dark circles in the center of the eye)
• imbalance
• dizzy
• sleepy
• nausea
• gag
• diarrhea
• hard to breath
• changes in an instant
• uncontrolled shaking in one part of the body
• seizures
• change of precautions
• loss of consciousness

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.