Fluvoxamine, Fluvoxamine ER

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on November 15, 2023

Fluvoxamine (floo VOKS a meen) is a generic medication prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and certain children. Fluvoxamine belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of fluvoxamine. To find coupons for fluvoxamine extended-release (ER)* oral capsule, see this article.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Fluvoxamine oral tablet and ER oral capsule have a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for fluvoxamine” section.

Side effects of fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of fluvoxamine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about fluvoxamine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for fluvoxamine listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with fluvoxamine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about fluvoxamine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for fluvoxamine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

The mild side effects of fluvoxamine oral tablet and extended-release (ER)* oral capsule include:

• headache
• lack of energy
• nausea
• sleepiness or sleep problems
• mild allergic reaction†

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fluvoxamine” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of fluvoxamine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about fluvoxamine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for fluvoxamine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, fluvoxamine’s serious side effects include:

• activation of mania (periods of very high energy that can interfere with certain activities)
• agitation, nervousness, anxiety, or sleep problems that can be severe and may lead to stopping treatment
• angle closure glaucoma (sudden buildup of pressure inside the eye)
• heart palpitations (feeling of fluttering or pounding in the chest)
• increased risk of bleeding
• low sodium levels
• seizures
• serotonin syndrome (too much of the substance, serotonin, in the body), which can be life threatening
• difficulty with sexual activity
• withdrawal symptoms (side effects that happen when you stop fluvoxamine, especially when you stop it suddenly)
• boxed warning(s): risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fluvoxamine” section.

Common questions about fluvoxamine

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about fluvoxamine.

What brand names are available for fluvoxamine?

Fluvoxamine oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Luvox. Fluvoxamine extended-release (ER)* oral capsule is available only as a generic drug.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

You can learn more about this by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Can fluvoxamine be used for COVID-19 or depression?

Possibly. Fluvoxamine isn’t approved to treat COVID-19 or depression. But doctors may choose to prescribe it for either of these conditions. It’s called an off-label use when doctors prescribe a drug for conditions other than its approved uses.

Talk with your doctor to find out more about off-label uses of fluvoxamine.

How does fluvoxamine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Fluvoxamine works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a substance that plays a role in mood and mental health. The exact way that increased serotonin levels help in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) isn’t fully understood.

Fluvoxamine may start relieving some symptoms of OCD within the first 2 weeks of treatment. But it can take time to see the full benefit of the drug. This generally means you may need to take it for up to 8 weeks to see whether it helps all of your symptoms.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of fluvoxamine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as fluvoxamine for certain conditions. Approved uses for fluvoxamine are described below.

Use for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Doctors may prescribe fluvoxamine oral tablet and extended-release (ER)* oral capsule for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Fluvoxamine oral tablet is used for this purpose in children ages 8 years and older and adults. Fluvoxamine ER oral capsule hasn’t been studied in children. Fluvoxamine is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With OCD, people experience obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are thoughts you keep having over and over again. They are unwanted and unmanageable. These thoughts can cause anxiety and distress. They can take up significant time during your day and interfere with daily life.

Compulsions are repeated urges or behaviors that often come from the obsessive thoughts. They are also unwanted, unmanageable, and time consuming. Like obsessions, they can interfere with your daily life and mental health.

Fluvoxamine can help relieve the symptoms of OCD.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Interactions and warnings for fluvoxamine

Below, you’ll find information about fluvoxamine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of fluvoxamine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take fluvoxamine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for fluvoxamine” section below.

Warnings for fluvoxamine

Some people should not take fluvoxamine, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Fluvoxamine has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. Taking an SSRI antidepressant may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in people younger than 25 years old. The risk is highest during the first few months of treatment and after dosage changes. (Keep in mind that having depression or other mental health conditions is the strongest predictor of suicidal thoughts or actions.)

Due to this risk, doctors will monitor closely for signs or symptoms of new or worsening problems. They’ll ask families to look out for signs and symptoms too. Symptoms may include changes in behavior, mood, thoughts, or feelings.

If you have thoughts about hurting yourself, call 911.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please get support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Other warnings

Fluvoxamine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether fluvoxamine is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for fluvoxamine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Fluvoxamine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to fluvoxamine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe fluvoxamine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• severe skin rashes that may blister and peel*
• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing difficulties

* This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.

If you have an allergic reaction to fluvoxamine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of fluvoxamine

You should not take more fluvoxamine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much fluvoxamine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and fluvoxamine

Information about fluvoxamine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Fluvoxamine and pregnancy

There are risks to taking fluvoxamine during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) while pregnant. (Keep in mind that fluvoxamine is used for treating OCD.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about OCD treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take fluvoxamine during pregnancy.

Your doctor may also talk with you about a pregnancy registry that monitors outcomes of pregnancies during antidepressant treatment. You can register with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants by calling 844-405-6185 or visiting this website.

Fluvoxamine and breastfeeding

Fluvoxamine should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with fluvoxamine.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know whether you have questions about fluvoxamine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What is the most important information I need to know about fluvoxamine?
• How should I take fluvoxamine?
• Do any of my other medications interact with fluvoxamine?

Resources

• Fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8bbd7e39-b9ab-4716-9522-aa8c4b92210e/spl-doc
• Fluvoxamine maleate tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6eeb14df-6fcf-a737-5359-5744eb4accea/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.