What is the most important information I should know about fluvoxamine?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to
fluvoxamine, or if you are also
taking
alosetron (Lotronex),
tizanidine (Zanaflex),
thioridazine (Mellaril),
pimozide (Orap), or an
MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate),
phenelzine (Nardil),
rasagiline (Azilect), or
selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam). Some of these medications can cause
serious or life-threatening drug interactions when taken within 14 days before or after taking
fluvoxamine.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an this medication,
especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular
visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood
or behavior changes, anxiety,
panic attacks,
trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive,
irritable,
agitated, hostile, aggressive,
restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically),
depressed, or have
thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
There are many other medicines that can cause serious medical
problems if you take them together with fluvoxamine. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without
telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any
doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
What is fluvoxamine?
Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluvoxamine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and
cause obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Fluvoxamine is used to treat social anxiety disorder (social phobia), or
obsessive-compulsive disorders involving recurring thoughts or actions.
Fluvoxamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluvoxamine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to fluvoxamine, or if you are
also taking:
-
alosetron (Lotronex);
-
tizanidine (Zanaflex);
-
thioridazine (Mellaril);
-
pimozide (Orap); or
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam).
Some of these medications can cause serious or life-threatening
drug interactions when taken together with fluvoxamine. You must wait at least 14 days after
stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take fluvoxamine. After you stop taking
fluvoxamine, you must wait at least 14 days before you can start taking an MAOI.
Before taking fluvoxamine, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take fluvoxamine.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking fluvoxamine, especially
if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of depression or
suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or
symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of
treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may cause serious or life-threatening
lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy.
However, you may have a relapse of symptoms if you stop taking fluvoxamine during pregnancy.
If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking fluvoxamine, do not
stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.
Fluvoxamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give fluvoxamine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
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