Fluvoxin Tablet (Fluvoxamine Maleate) | Antidepressant Medicine | Used for OCD, Depression & Anxiety Disorders

Precautions

Before taking Fluvoxin, tell your healthcare professional about your complete medical history and all medicines you currently use.

Important precautions include:

• Suicidal thoughts or behavioral changes: Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults, particularly during treatment initiation or dose changes. Close monitoring is important.
• Serotonin syndrome: The risk can increase when fluvoxamine is combined with other medicines that increase serotonin. Seek medical attention if symptoms such as agitation, confusion, sweating, fever, rapid heartbeat, tremor, muscle stiffness, or coordination problems occur.
• Bipolar disorder: Inform your healthcare professional if you have bipolar disorder or a history of manic or hypomanic episodes. Patients may need assessment for bipolar disorder before treatment.
• Angle-closure glaucoma: Fluvoxamine and other antidepressants may increase the risk of angle-closure glaucoma in people with anatomically narrow angles. Inform your doctor if you have glaucoma or eye-related conditions.
• Liver problems: Tell your healthcare professional if you have liver disease. Fluvoxamine clearance may be reduced in people with hepatic impairment, which may require adjustment of treatment.
• Bleeding risk: Fluvoxamine may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly when used with medicines that affect blood clotting or platelet function.
• Seizure disorders: Inform your healthcare professional if you have a history of seizures or epilepsy.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Discuss fluvoxamine use with your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
• Alcohol and other sedating medicines: Fluvoxamine may cause drowsiness or affect alertness in some people. Alcohol and other medicines that cause sedation may increase these effects.
• Do not stop suddenly: Stopping fluvoxamine abruptly may cause discontinuation symptoms. A gradual reduction may be recommended by your healthcare professional.
• All medicines and supplements: Always inform your healthcare professional about prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements before starting treatment.

Usage

Fluvoxin should be taken exactly as directed by the healthcare professional.

• Take the tablet orally according to the prescribed schedule.
• Take it at the same time each day when possible.
• Follow the prescribed strength and dosing schedule.
• Do not take more or less than prescribed.
• Do not stop treatment suddenly without medical advice.
• If a dose is missed, follow the instructions provided by your healthcare professional or product information.
• If you experience significant side effects or unusual changes in mood or behavior, contact your healthcare professional.
• Treatment response may take time, so do not change the dose based only on early results.
• Regular follow-up may be needed to assess response and tolerability.

The dose may need adjustment in people with liver impairment, and prescribed doses should not be changed without medical guidance.

Uses

Fluvoxin Tablet contains fluvoxamine maleate, an SSRI medicine primarily used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps manage persistent unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental acts associated with OCD.

1. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Fluvoxin is used to treat obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD. Obsessions are recurring, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that can cause distress, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental activities performed in response to these thoughts.

By increasing serotonin activity in the brain, fluvoxamine may help reduce the frequency and intensity of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors over the course of treatment.

2. Management of OCD Symptoms

Fluvoxin may help with different symptoms associated with OCD, including:

• Repeated unwanted or intrusive thoughts
• Persistent worries associated with obsessive thinking
• Repetitive behaviors performed in response to obsessions
• Repetitive mental acts or rituals
• Difficulty controlling compulsive behaviors
• Distress or interference with daily activities related to OCD symptoms

The response to treatment varies between individuals, and improvement may take time. Fluvoxin should be taken consistently according to the treatment plan.

3. Depression and Anxiety-Related Conditions

Fluvoxamine is an SSRI antidepressant, but its approved uses vary by product and country. In some clinical settings, healthcare professionals may prescribe fluvoxamine for conditions involving depression or anxiety based on their clinical judgment. These uses should not be assumed for every Fluvoxin product.

Use Fluvoxin only for the condition for which it has been prescribed.

Important Information About Its Uses

Fluvoxin is not intended to provide immediate relief of OCD symptoms. Regular treatment may be required before noticeable changes occur. The prescribed dose and duration depend on the individual's condition, age, medical history, response to treatment, and other medicines being used.

Do not increase, decrease, or stop Fluvoxin on your own. If treatment needs to be discontinued, a healthcare professional may recommend gradually reducing the dose to help minimize discontinuation symptoms.

If symptoms become worse, significant mood or behavioral changes occur, or suicidal thoughts develop, contact a healthcare professional promptly.

Side Effects

Like other medicines, Fluvoxin may cause side effects. Some may become less noticeable as the body adjusts to treatment.

Common or Reported Side Effects

• Nausea
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Insomnia or sleep disturbance
• Nervousness
• Weakness or tiredness
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• Sweating
• Changes in appetite

Important or Serious Side Effects

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you experience:

• Severe allergic reaction
• Significant changes in mood or behavior
• Suicidal thoughts or unusual behavioral changes
• Symptoms of serotonin syndrome
• Seizures
• Manic or hypomanic symptoms
• Severe bleeding
• Severe eye pain or sudden changes in vision
• Severe or persistent symptoms that concern you

The risk and type of side effects can vary between individuals and may depend on dose, other medicines, and medical history.

FAQs

1. What is Fluvoxin used for?

Fluvoxin contains fluvoxamine maleate and is used for the treatment of obsessions and compulsions associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

2. What is the active ingredient in Fluvoxin?

The active ingredient is fluvoxamine maleate.

3. What type of medicine is Fluvoxin?

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

4. How does Fluvoxamine work?

It reduces the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing serotonin activity between nerve cells.

5. Is Fluvoxamine used every day?

Fluvoxamine is generally taken regularly according to the treatment plan prescribed by a healthcare professional.

6. Can Fluvoxamine be stopped suddenly?

It should not normally be stopped suddenly. A gradual reduction may be recommended to reduce discontinuation symptoms.

7. Does Fluvoxamine cause drowsiness?

Drowsiness can occur in some people. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel sleepy or less alert.

8. Can Fluvoxamine interact with other medicines?

Yes. It has important interactions with several medicines, including MAOIs, tizanidine, thioridazine, pimozide, alosetron, and certain serotonergic medicines.

9. Can Fluvoxamine cause serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome is a possible serious reaction, particularly when fluvoxamine is combined with other medicines that increase serotonin.

10. Can Fluvoxamine be taken during pregnancy?

Pregnancy should be discussed with a healthcare professional before using fluvoxamine. Do not start, stop, or change treatment without medical advice.

11. What should I do if I miss a dose?

Follow the missed-dose instructions provided with your prescription. Do not take extra medicine to compensate unless specifically instructed.

12. Does Fluvoxamine work immediately?

The effect on OCD symptoms may take time. Continue treatment according to the prescribed plan and discuss the response with your healthcare professional.

13. Can I drink alcohol while taking Fluvoxamine?

Alcohol may increase drowsiness or impair alertness. Discuss alcohol use with your healthcare professional.

14. Who should tell their doctor before taking Fluvoxamine?

People with liver disease, seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, glaucoma or narrow angles, bleeding problems, or those taking other medicines should inform their healthcare professional before treatment.

15. Is Fluvoxamine suitable for children?

The approved use depends on the specific product and condition. U.S. labeling allows use in certain pediatric patients with OCD, while it is not approved for pediatric use for other psychiatric conditions.

16. Can Fluvoxamine affect mood or behavior?

Changes in mood or behavior can occur, particularly during treatment initiation or dose changes. Unusual behavioral changes or suicidal thoughts require prompt medical attention.

Interactions

Fluvoxin has several clinically important medicine interactions. Always provide your healthcare professional with a complete list of medicines and supplements you are taking.

MAO Inhibitors

Fluvoxamine must not be taken with certain MAO inhibitors because of the risk of potentially serious serotonin-related reactions. Appropriate time intervals are required when switching between fluvoxamine and an MAOI.

Tizanidine

Tizanidine should not be used with fluvoxamine because fluvoxamine can substantially increase tizanidine exposure, potentially causing excessive drowsiness and a significant reduction in blood pressure.

Thioridazine

The combination is contraindicated because fluvoxamine can increase thioridazine exposure and may increase the risk of serious heart-rhythm problems.

Pimozide

Fluvoxamine should not be combined with pimozide because of the potential for increased pimozide levels and serious cardiac rhythm effects.

Alosetron

Fluvoxamine can increase alosetron exposure, so the combination is contraindicated in the prescribing information.

Other Serotonergic Medicines

Medicines such as certain antidepressants, triptans, tramadol, fentanyl, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John's wort may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with fluvoxamine.

Benzodiazepines and Sedating Medicines

Fluvoxamine can interact with certain benzodiazepines and other medicines that affect the central nervous system. Increased drowsiness or changes in medicine levels may occur with some combinations.

Medicines Affecting Bleeding

Medicines such as NSAIDs, aspirin, antiplatelet medicines, and anticoagulants may increase bleeding risk when used with an SSRI such as fluvoxamine.

Other Medicines

Fluvoxamine can affect the metabolism of several medicines through liver enzyme interactions. Therefore, medicines for heart rhythm problems, asthma, psychiatric conditions, seizures, and other conditions should be reviewed before treatment.