Why is Luvox prescribed?

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.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking luvox,

• 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.