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Compare Luvox vs. Paxil

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Fluvoxamine and paroxetine (Paxil) are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but are used for different conditions. Fluvoxamine is primarily prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is available only in generic form. It can be taken once or twice daily, depending on the formulation. Paroxetine, on the other hand, is used for a broader range of conditions including depression, various anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It is available in both brand name (Paxil) and generic forms, and is typically taken once daily. Fluvoxamine is more likely to cause side effects like nausea and sleep problems, and it has a higher risk of drug interactions. Paroxetine can also cause side effects such as weight gain and sexual problems, and it may lead to withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly. Both medications can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in people under 25 and should not be mixed with alcohol.

Fluvoxamine
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Fluvoxamine
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Summary of Luvox vs. Paxil
Summary for SSRI
Prescription only
Fluvoxamine maleate is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It's one of the first-choice treatment options for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children ages 8 years and older. Fluvoxamine is taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily, depending on your dose and whether you're taking the immediate-release tablet or the extended-release capsule. Fluvoxamine can cause a number of unpleasant side effects, including nausea, sleep problems, and headache. The brand name (Luvox) is no longer available.
Summary for SSRI
Prescription only
Paroxetine (also known by it's brand name Paxil) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), used for different types of anxiety problems and depression. It's available as a brand name and generic version, and it comes as an immediate-release tablet, an oral suspension, and an extended-release tablet. Possible side effects include nausea, sexual side effects, and weight gain. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms (e.g., headache, trouble sleeping, anxiety) if you suddenly stop taking it.
Indications of Luvox vs. Paxil
Indications for

•Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Indications for

•Depression

•Panic disorder (PD)

•Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

•Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (IR only)

•Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (IR only)

•Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (IR only)

•Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (ER only)
Pros and Cons of Luvox vs. Paxil
Pros and Const for SSRI
Pros

•First-choice treatment option for OCD

•Can be used in children as young as 8 years old

•Available as a lower-cost generic medication

•Can take before bedtime to sleep through drowsiness side effect

Cons

•Might need to take twice daily, depending on your dose

•Can cause a lot of side effects, such as sleepiness, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite

•Can interact with many medications, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and diltiazem (Cardizem)

Pros and Const for SSRI
Pros

•Only needs to be taken once daily

•Available as a tablet and oral liquid

•Can be taken with or without food

•Can be used for many different mental health conditions

•Can be helpful for people who have both anxiety and depression

Cons

•Can take several weeks or months to achieve the full benefits

•Might be more likely than other SSRIs to cause weight gain or sexual problems

•Can interact with other medications, especially those affecting serotonin levels

•Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it
Common Side Effects of Luvox vs. Paxil
Common Side Effects for
Immediate-release tablets:

•Nausea (40%)

•Headache (22%)

•Sleepiness (22%)

•Trouble sleeping (21%)

•Dry mouth (14%)

•Weakness, feeling like you have no energy (14%)

•Nervousness (12%)

•Dizziness (11%)

•Diarrhea (11%)

•Constipation (10%)

•Upset stomach (10%)

Extended-release capsules:

•Trouble sleeping (35%)

•Nausea (34%)

•Headache (32%)

•Sleepiness (27%)

•Weakness, feeling like you have no energy (26%)

•Diarrhea (18%)

•Loss of appetite (13%)

•Dizziness (12%)

Common Side Effects for

•Abnormal ejaculation (up to 28%)

•Nausea (up to 25%)

•Weakness (up to 22%)

•Sleepiness or trouble sleeping (up to 24%)

•Dry mouth (up to 18%)

•Constipation (up to 16%)

•Sweating (up to 14%)

•Dizziness (up to 14%)

•Diarrhea (up to 12%)

•Low libido (up to 12%)

•Shakiness (up to 11%)
Warnings of Luvox vs. Paxil
Common Side Effects for

•Suicidal thoughts and behavior

•Serotonin syndrome

•Dangerous medication interactions

•Worsening of glaucoma

•Withdrawal symptoms

•Higher bleeding risk

•Mania

•Seizures

•Low sodium levels in the blood

•Sexual problems

Common Side Effects for

•Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual behavior

•Serotonin syndrome

•Risk of harm to unborn babies

•Sexual problems

•Withdrawal

•Risk factors: Stopping paroxetine (Paxil) suddenly

•Risk of bleeding

•Not for use alone in bipolar disorder

•Glaucoma

•Low blood sodium levels

•Seizures

•Risk of abnormal heart rhythm from interactions
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Compare Luvox vs. Paxil

Key takeaways

Summary of Luvox vs. Paxil

Indications of Luvox vs. Paxil

Pros and Cons of Luvox vs. Paxil

Common Side Effects of Luvox vs. Paxil

Warnings of Luvox vs. Paxil

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