Luvox is used to treat patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Fluvoxamine
maleate is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor
or pharmacist for more information.
How
should Luvox be used?
Luvox comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken either
once daily at bedtime or twice daily, once in the morning and once
at bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully,
and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Take Luvox exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or
take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take
Fluvoxamine maleate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Luvox
without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large
doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose
gradually. Fluvoxamine maleate must be taken regularly for a few weeks
before its full effect is felt.
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic
to Luvox or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially MAO inhibitors as phenelzine
(Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate) even if you stopped taking
them in the last 2 weeks, alprazolam (Xanax), anticoagulants ('blood
thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), astemizole (Hismanal), buspirone
(Buspar), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cisapride (Propulsid), clozapine
(Clozaril), cyclosporine, dextromethorphan, diazepam (Valium), diltiazem
(Cardizem), diuretics ('water pill'), haloperidol (Haldol), heart
medications, lithium, medications for depression, methadone, midazolam
(Versed), phenytoin (Dilantin), pimozide (Orap), sumatriptan (Imitrex),
terfenadine (Seldane), theophylline (TheoDur), thioridazine (Mellaril),
triazolam (Halcion), L-tryptophan, and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, kidney, adrenal,or
liver disease; or a history of depression or mania; seizures; or
a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or
are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Luvox, call
your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor
or dentist that you are taking Luvox.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive
a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects
you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by Fluvoxamine
maleate.
tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking
may decrease the effectiveness of Fluvoxamine maleate.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and
to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Luvox may
make your skin sensitive to sunlight. What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining
doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember
a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a
missed one.
If you take Luvox once a day
at bedtime and do not remember it until the next morning, omit the
missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What
side effects can Luvox cause?
Side effects from Fluvoxamine maleate are common. Tell your doctor
if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
drowsiness
dry mouth
upset stomach
headache
diarrhea
constipation
indigestion
nervousness
tremor
weakness
abnormal ejaculation
difficulty sleeping
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
rapid heartbeat
sweating
skin rash
hives
seizures or convulsions
What storage conditions are needed for Luvox?
Keep Fluvoxamine maleate in the container it came in, tightly closed,
and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away
from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away
any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your
pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What other information should I know?
It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor
and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to
check your response to Luvox.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask
your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
