Fluvoxamine Health Article

Definition

Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant of the type known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It is marketed in the United States under the brand name Luvox.

Purpose

Fluvoxamine is used to treat depression. It is also the first SSRI to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, adolescents, and adults.

Description

Serotonin is a brain chemical that carries nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. Researchers think that depression and certain other mental disorders may be caused, in part, because there is not enough serotonin being released and transmitted in the brain. Like the other SSRI antidepressants, fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine increases the level of brain serotonin (also known as 5-HT). Increased serotonin levels in the brain may be beneficial in patients with obsessive-compulsive dirder, alcoholism, certain types of headaches, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pre-menstrual tension and mood swings, and panic disorder.

Fluvoxamine was approved for use in adults in 1993. In 1997, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medication for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents.

Fluvoxamine is available in 25-, 50- and 100-mg tablets.

Recommended dosage

Fluvoxamine therapy in adults is started as a single 50-mg dose taken at bedtime. Based on the patient's response to the medication, the dosage can be increased by 50 mg every four to seven days, until maximum benefit is achieved. Maximum dosage is 300 mg per day. Dosage over 100 mg per day should be given as equally divided morning and afternoon doses.

Fluvoxamine therapy in children is started as a single 25-mg dose, initially taken at bedtime. Based on the patient's response to the medication, the dosage can be increased by 25 mg every four to seven days, until maximum benefit is achieved. Maximum dosage in children is 200 mg per day. Dosage over 100 mg per day should be given as equally divided morning and afternoon doses.