Fluvoxamine Maleate Drug Details
Generic Name:
Availability:
Prescription only
Therapeutic Class:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Forms:
Oral tablet, oral capsule extended-release
Administration:
By mouth
Therapeutic Uses:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Fluvoxamine Drug Class
Fluvoxamine (floo-voks-ah-meen) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Fluvoxamine Age Range
Fluvoxamine is approved for use in adults and children 8 years of age and older.
Fluvoxamine Maleate Uses
Fluvoxamine Uses
Fluvoxamine is used to treat adults and children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This is a mental health condition in which there are excessive unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Fluvoxamine is also used to treat social anxiety disorder, a mental health condition in which everyday social interactions cause irrational anxiety.
There may be other uses of fluvoxamine, such as to treat depression—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.
Fluvoxamine Mechanism of Action
Fluvoxamine works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter (natural chemical) in the brain that helps to regulate mental balance.
Fluvoxamine Doses
Fluvoxamine maleate tablets come in strengths of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. The extended-release capsules come in strengths of 100 mg and 150 mg.
The recommended starting dose of fluvoxamine in adults is 50 mg once a day at bedtime. This can be increased by 50 mg every 4-7 days. The maintenance dose in adults ranges between 100 mg and 300 mg per day in a single dose or divided doses. The maximum fluvoxamine dose in adults is 300 mg per day.
The typical starting dose of the extended-release capsules is 100 mg once a day, which can be increased by 50 mg at weekly intervals, up to a maximum of 300 mg per day in adults.
The recommended starting dose of fluvoxamine in children between the ages of 8 and 17 years is 25 mg once a day at bedtime. This can be increased by 25 mg every 4-7 days. The maintenance dose is 25 to 200 mg orally per day (8 to 11 years) and 25 to 300 mg orally per day (11 to 17 years). The maximum dose of fluvoxamine is 200 mg/day (8-11 years) or 300 mg/day (12-17 years).
Fluvoxamine Maleate Directions
How To Use Fluvoxamine
Take fluvoxamine tablets by mouth once or twice a day as prescribed. The extended-release capsule is taken once daily at bedtime, with or without food.
Read the prescription label carefully and take fluvoxamine exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency or stop treatment without your health care provider’s approval.
If you are taking fluvoxamine extended-release capsules, swallow the capsules whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew them.
Your healthcare provider may start you on a lower dose of fluvoxamine and gradually increase the dose. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions carefully. It can take several weeks for you to get the full benefits of this medicine. This medicine works only as long as you continue taking it. Continue treatment with fluvoxamine even if you feel well. Stopping treatment suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms. If you want to come off fluvoxamine, your doctor will tell you how to slowly reduce the dose.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose of fluvoxamine, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage: Store fluvoxamine at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unused fluvoxamine should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw fluvoxamine in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded fluvoxamine is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on fluvoxamine. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about fluvoxamine, talk to your doctor for medical advice.
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Fluvoxamine Maleate Side Effects
Fluvoxamine Side Effects
Possible side effects of fluvoxamine are listed below. Call your doctor for medical advice if these side effects are severe or continue after your body has adjusted to the medicine.
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Changes in taste
- Stomach pain
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Stuffy nose
- Sweating
- Trouble sleeping
- Nervousness
- Sexual problems in females, including decreased libido (sex drive) and delayed or absent orgasm
- Sexual problems in males, including decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction (inability to get or keep an erection), and delayed or absent ejaculation
Less commonly, fluvoxamine can cause more serious side effects. Call your healthcare professional right away or seek emergency medical attention if you develop the following serious symptoms:
- An unusual or allergic reaction (skin rash, hives, itching)
- A severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
- Slowed breathing or trouble breathing
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fever, sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle twitching, muscle stiffness, poor coordination, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Numbness, tingling, pain, or burning in the hands or feet
- Uncontrollable or sudden body movements or shaking
- Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, confusion
- Weakness
- Unsteadiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, such as bleeding from the nose, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, coffee grounds vomit, red or pink urine, bright red blood in stool, or black, tarry stools
The above list may not include all the potential side effects of fluvoxamine. Contact your healthcare provider if your side effects are unusual or severe or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Fluvoxamine Overdose: In case of an overdose of fluvoxamine, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 if a person has collapsed, stopped breathing, stopped responding, or had a seizure. Symptoms of a fluvoxamine overdose may include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, rapid or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching, fatigue, poor coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
Source: FDA
Fluvoxamine Maleate Warnings
Fluvoxamine Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Fluvoxamine can cause or worsen health problems in certain high-risk individuals. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for your mental illness if you are at increased risk of adverse reactions from fluvoxamine use. Some of the risks of taking fluvoxamine include:
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Precautions Before Starting Fluvoxamine
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to fluvoxamine, any of the active or inactive ingredients in fluvoxamine tablets and extended-release capsules, other SSRIs, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Fluvoxamine may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions such as alcohol or drug abuse, recent heart attack, low sodium, bleeding problems, seizure disorders, heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy in the near future. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you are nursing an infant with breast milk.
Precautions During Use of Fluvoxamine
Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on fluvoxamine. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose based on your response and monitor you for side effects.
Fluvoxamine can cause drowsiness and affect your thinking, judgment, and motor skills. Do not drive or do any activity that requires your full concentration until you know how this medicine affects you. Remember, alcohol can make drowsiness worse, so avoid drinking alcohol while on fluvoxamine.
Avoid smoking while taking fluvoxamine. Tobacco products can decrease the effectiveness of this drug.
Tell all your healthcare providers you are on fluvoxamine, especially before any surgery, including dental treatments.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on fluvoxamine. This drug can cause harm to the baby if it is taken during the last few months of pregnancy.
Fluvoxamine Drug Interactions
Certain other drugs can affect how fluvoxamine works. Possible interactions between fluvoxamine and other medicines can increase the risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may change your dose, switch you to a different medication, or monitor you closely for adverse effects if there are known interactions between fluvoxamine and your other medications.
You should not take fluvoxamine at the same time as the following drugs:
- Thioridazine
- Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
- Alosetron (Lotronex)
- Pimozide (Orap)
- Ramelteon (Rozerem)
Also, tell your doctor if you are currently taking or have taken within the past 14 days medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Examples include methylene blue, linezolid (Zyvox), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar), rasagiline (Azilect), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Fluvoxamine can also have interactions with the following medications:
- Anti-anxiety medications called benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), triazolam (Halcion), midazolam (Seizalam), and diazepam (Valium, others)
- Stimulants such as amphetamines
- Dextromethorphan (found in cough medicines)
- Aspirin, aspirin-containing medicines, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
- Anticoagulants or blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, Innopran, Hemangeol) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol)
- Anti-anxiety medications such as buspirone
- Antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others) and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
- Antipsychotic drugs such as clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz) and haloperidol (Haldol)
- Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
- Diuretics or water pills
- Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem, Tiazac, others)
- Opioid medicines such as fentanyl (Actiq, Abstral, Fentora, Onsolis, others), tramadol (Ultram, Conzip, Qdolo, in Ultracet), and methadone (Methadose)
- Antifungal agents such as ketoconazole
- Antimanic agents such as lithium (Lithobid)
- Medications called triptans are prescribed for migraine headaches, such as eletriptan (Relpax), almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan, and zolmitriptan (Zomig)
- Antiarrhythmic drugs such as mexiletine and quinidine
- Drugs used to treat nausea and vomiting, such as metoclopramide
- Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
- Other drugs used to treat mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression
- Alzheimer’s medications such as tacrine (Cognex)
- Medications used to treat lung conditions, such as theophylline (Theo-24, Theochron)
Give your healthcare professional a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.
Fluvoxamine Maleate Pros & Cons
Fluvoxamine Pros and Cons
- Fluvoxamine is a first-choice drug for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- It can be used in children 8-17 years of age who have OCD.
- You may only need to take it once a day at bedtime.
- There is a lower-cost generic available.
- Fluvoxamine can cause many side effects, including drowsiness, headache, trouble sleeping, nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
- More serious side effects can include breathing trouble, serotonin syndrome, and worsening glaucoma.
- Fluvoxamine can interact with many medications.
Fluvoxamine Maleate Pharmacist Tips
Fluvoxamine Tips from Pharmacists
You can take fluvoxamine with or without food.
Fluvoxamine can cause drowsiness. This side effect can be minimized by taking fluvoxamine at bedtime.
Your doctor will start you on a lower dose of fluvoxamine and gradually increase the dose if needed. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions carefully. It may take several weeks for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms. Continue taking the medicine even if you feel well.
Do not stop taking fluvoxamine suddenly. This can trigger withdrawal syndrome. Your doctor will tell you how to lower the dose gradually.
Fluvoxamine can affect your thinking, judgment, and motor skills. Avoid driving or doing other potentially hazardous activities until you know how it affects you.
Alcohol can make drowsiness caused by fluvoxamine worse and put you at risk of accidents and injuries. Avoid alcohol while on this medicine.
Call your doctor without delay if you develop changes in your mental health status (high or low mood, behavior changes, suicidal thinking, or behaviors).
Fluvoxamine Maleate Rx Savings Tips
Fluvoxamine Rx Savings Tips
Fluvoxamine is a generic medication and is available at significantly lower prices than the brand name. Brand name Luvox (no longer on the market) and generic fluvoxamine contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic version offers better value. A BuzzRx fluvoxamine coupon can result in big savings on the generic form of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Fluvoxamine may be under $15.00 for 30 tablets of the 100 mg dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on fluvoxamine, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx fluvoxamine discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions.
Lowest Price for Fluvoxamine | |
| Brand N/A | Generic $14.77 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Fluvoxamine Maleate Common Questions
Common Questions about Fluvoxamine
Is fluvoxamine used for anxiety?Fluvoxamine is used to treat social anxiety disorder. It may also be used off-label for other anxiety disorders. |
Why was fluvoxamine banned?The FDA issued stronger warnings about fluvoxamine and other SSRIs in the early 2000s after it was found that these drugs can cause unexpected mental health changes, including suicidal thinking and behaviors and new or worsening anxiety or depression, especially in young adults. |
What is the best OCD medication?Fluvoxamine is a first-line drug for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Other treatment options include fluoxetine (Prozac). |
Why take fluvoxamine at night?Fluvoxamine can cause drowsiness and is usually better tolerated when you take it at night. |
How quickly does fluvoxamine start working?It can take 4-6 weeks for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms after starting fluvoxamine. Some people may not see a noticeable difference until they have been on fluvoxamine for 10-12 weeks. |
What is the price of fluvoxamine without insurance?Without insurance, fluvoxamine can be as high as $88.89, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $14.77 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of fluvoxamine with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on fluvoxamine—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for fluvoxamine. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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