Uses

Luvox, the brand name of the drug fluvoxamine, is part of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This medication is only available via prescription and is used to treat social anxiety and obsessive compulsive thoughts and behaviors. It brings relief by increasing the amount of serotonin—a neurotransmitter that affects mood—in the body. In certain instances, this medication may be used to treat symptoms of depression.

Dosage FAQs

• How should I take this medication?
  Luvox can be prescribed as a tablet or as an extended-release capsule. The extended-release capsule is taken once per day, usually at bedtime, while the tablet may be taken once or twice per day depending on your doctor or psychiatrist’s recommendation. Do not crush or chew extended-release capsules; swallow them whole. Your physician may start your treatment as a low dose, and gradually increase the amount of medication you take each day to find what is ideal for you. Do not take more or less of this medication, or take this medication for a longer or shorter period of time than is prescribed by your doctor—even if you feel well. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. It may take several weeks for the medication to accrue in your system in order to feel the therapeutic effects of this drug. Read the medication guide each time you refill your tablets or capsules as there may be new information regarding Luvox or SSRIs.
• What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
  Take the dose you forgot as soon as possible. If the time for your next scheduled dose is close, then skip the missed dose altogether. Taking more than the prescribed amount of medication, or taking two doses too quickly may lead to an overdose.
• What should I do if I overdose on this medication?
  Call a poison control help line or call your healthcare advisor immediately. Signs of overdose include lowered potassium levels, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, breathing problems, drowsiness, and vomiting.
• Are there ways to get more out of my treatment with this drug?
  Many mental health conditions for which SSRIs are prescribed also show a range of positive results from treatment with psychotherapy. Social anxiety, OCD, and depression, for example, can all be treated with various types of psychotherapy. While medication may help a person find relief from debilitating symptoms, drugs do not teach a person to cope in healthy ways when emotions, behaviors, or thoughts are triggered by mental health conditions. Finding a qualified counselor or therapist may help improve a person’s quality of life more than seeking treatment with psychotropic drugs alone. Additionally, many therapists can help you find additional relief by helping you develop a meditation, breathing exercise, or yoga routine.
• How should I store this medication?
  Keep Luvox tightly closed in its original container, at room temperature. Do not store this medication in locations which may be exposed to periods of excessive heat or moisture (for example, in the bathroom or kitchen). Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
• Should I take Luvox if I am pregnant?
  You should talk to your doctor about alternative treatments if you become pregnant while taking this medication. If taken during pregnancy, this drug may cause high-pitched crying, tremors, difficulty sleeping, and other withdrawal symptoms in newborns. Newborns may also experience heart malformations and other serious heart and lung conditions. Do not breastfeed while taking this medication as fluvoxamine may pass into breast milk. However, do not stop taking this medication unless advised to do so by your physician.