From Tizanidine to Smoking: 9 Fluvoxamine Interactions to Watch For
Learn which medications can interact with fluvoxamine and steps you can take to avoid interaction-related issues.
fluvoxamine
Used for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Used for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Fluvoxamine maleate is an SSRI, or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It's approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in people ages 8 years and up. Fluvoxamine comes as immediate-release tablets taken by mouth once or twice a day. For adults, it also comes as extended-release capsules taken once a day. Your specific dosage depends on which form you're taking. Side effects include nausea, sleepiness or trouble sleeping, and headache. Fluvoxamine is a generic medication; the brand name Luvox is no longer available.
What is Fluvoxamine?
What is Fluvoxamine used for?
How Fluvoxamine works
Fluvoxamine is an SSRI, which is short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It works by boosting the serotonin levels in the brain. This is thought to help with symptoms of OCD.
When does Fluvoxamine start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Luvox |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | SSRI |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Fluvoxamine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea (40%)
- Headache (22%)
- Sleepiness (22%)
- Trouble sleeping (21%)
- Dry mouth (14%)
- Weakness (14%)
- Nervousness (12%)
- Dizziness (11%)
- Diarrhea (11%)
- Constipation (10%)
- Indigestion (10%)
- Trouble sleeping (35%)
- Nausea (34%)
- Headache (32%)
- Sleepiness (27%)
- Weakness (26%)
- Diarrhea (18%)
- Low appetite (13%)
- Dizziness (12%)
- General pain (10%)
- Dry mouth (10%)
- Low sex drive or ejaculation problems (10%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Tremor
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Changes in taste
- Other sexual problems (e.g., low sex drive, ejaculation problems)
- Upper respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms
Fluvoxamine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Serotonin syndrome: fever, fast heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting, muscle stiffness, muscle spasms, confusion
- Serious bleeding or bruising: bruising that doesn't get better, bleeding that takes longer to stop, black stools, pink or red urine, coughing up or vomiting blood, unusual bleeding from the nose or gums
- Low sodium: headaches, muscle cramps, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, trouble walking or coordinating movements
- Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing, swelling in the face or tongue, rash
- Seizure
When do Fluvoxamine possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Nausea
Changes in sleep
Sexual problems
Risk of thoughts of self-harm
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Fluvoxamine side effects
The following Fluvoxamine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Behavior, mood, or mental changes
trouble with breathing
trouble with urinating
twitching
Rare
Absence of or decrease in body movements
agitation
blurred vision
chills
clumsiness or unsteadiness
confusion
convulsions (seizures)
inability to move the eyes
increase in body movements
menstrual changes
nosebleeds
overactive reflexes
poor coordination
red or irritated eyes
redness, tenderness, itching, burning, or peeling of the skin
restlessness
shivering
skin rash
sweating
talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
trembling or shaking
unusual bruising
unusual, incomplete, or sudden body or facial movements
unusual secretion of milk (in females)
weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Change in sexual performance or desire
headache
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain
change in sense of taste
decreased appetite
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
increased sweating
unusual weight gain or loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$46.99
GoodRx discount
$12.80
Pros and cons of Fluvoxamine
Pros
- A first-choice treatment option for OCD
- Immediate-release tablets approved for children as young as 8 years old
Cons
- Can cause a lot of side effects, like sleepiness, nausea, diarrhea, and dry mouth
- Can interact with many medications, such as triptan migraine medications, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines
Pharmacist tips for Fluvoxamine
- When you first start fluvoxamine, you'll take a low dose once a day at bedtime. Your prescriber might slowly raise the dose over time until they find what works best for you. At higher doses, you might take the medication twice a day to get your full daily dose. Follow your prescriber's instructions and check in with them often in case you need dose adjustments.
- You can take fluvoxamine with or without food. If the medication upsets your stomach, try taking it with food next time to help.
- For the fluvoxamine immediate-release tablets: Some fluvoxamine tablets, but not all, can be cut in half. The 50 mg and 100 mg tablets have a score line, so you can cut them in half with a pill splitter. Don't cut the 25 mg tablets in half because they're not scored. You could hurt yourself by cutting unscored pills.
- For the fluvoxamine extended-release capsules: Swallow the capsule whole. Don't crush, chew, or open it. The capsule releases medication slowly into your body throughout the day. Damaging it can make you get too much medication too fast and raise the risk of side effects. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule whole, talk to your prescriber about your options.
- Fluvoxamine can make you sleepy. It can also make it hard for you to make decisions and think clearly. Don't drive, use machines, or do anything that you need to pay attention to until you know how the medication affects you.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking fluvoxamine. Alcohol can make side effects like sleepiness, confusion, and dizziness worse. Talk to your prescriber about how much you usually drink. They can discuss how you can take this medication safely.
- Tell your prescriber if you smoke or vape. Nicotine can lower the fluvoxamine levels in your body, which might make it not work as well. Also tell your care team if you decide to stop. Your prescriber might need to adjust your fluvoxamine dose.
- Give your care team an updated list of all the medications and supplements you take or plan to take. Fluvoxamine can have serious interactions with some medications. These can include blood thinners, benzodiazepines, and other antidepressants. To keep you safe, your care team might adjust your medications or change your treatment plan.
- Don't stop taking fluvoxamine suddenly unless your prescriber says it's okay. Stopping the medication too quickly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. You might feel nauseous, anxious, or confused. And you could have stomach upset, trouble sleeping, and headaches. If stopping is the right choice for you, your prescriber can help lower your dose over time. This helps lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Risks and warnings for Fluvoxamine
Fluvoxamine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Risk factors: Age 24 or younger | History of depression or other mental health condition
Fluvoxamine might raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, especially in people under the age of 25. If they have depression, there's a risk that their mental health can get worse while taking this medication. Watch for worsening depression or sudden changes in mood or behavior. This is very important during the first few months of treatment or after a dose change.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you or someone close to you notices any unusual mood or behavior while you're taking fluvoxamine. Call 911 right away if you have thoughts of hurting yourself.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in the brain
Fluvoxamine raises the serotonin levels in the brain. It can sometimes cause a serious and dangerous problem called serotonin syndrome. This happens when there's too much serotonin in the brain.
The risk is higher if you take fluvoxamine with other medications that also raise serotonin levels. These include antidepressants, some opioid pain medications, and triptan migraine medications. Tell your care team about all the medications and supplements you take so they can check your risk.
Stop taking fluvoxamine and get medical help right away if you have signs of serotonin syndrome. Watch for a high fever, fast heart rate, heavy sweating, stiff muscles, and confusion.
Dangerous drug interactions
- Risk factors: Taking thioridazine, tizanidine (Zanaflex), pimozide, or alosetron (Lotronex) | Taking benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) | Taking clozapine (Clozaril) | Taking methadone | Taking ramelteon (Rozerem) | Taking theophylline
Fluvoxamine can interact with many medications. Some interactions can raise the risk of side effects, which can be dangerous.
For example, taking fluvoxamine with thioridazine can raise the risk of serious heart rhythm problems. Taking it with tizanidine (Zanaflex) can cause very low blood pressure, extra sleepiness, and trouble focusing. Other medications can also raise the risk of side effects when taken with fluvoxamine. These include methadone, clozapine (Clozaril), and benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax), among others.
Tell your care team about all the medications and supplements you take or plan to take. They can check for drug interactions with fluvoxamine. To keep you safe, your care team might adjust your medications or change your treatment plan.
Withdrawal symptoms
- Risk factors: Stopping fluvoxamine suddenly
Don't stop taking fluvoxamine without talking to your prescriber first. Stopping the medication too fast can cause withdrawal symptoms. This can include nausea, anxiety, agitation, headaches and trouble sleeping.
If you want to stop taking fluvoxamine, tell your prescriber. They can help you lower your dose over time before you can stop completely. This helps lower your risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Higher risk of bleeding
- Risk factors: Taking blood thinners or other medications that make bleeding or bruising easier
Fluvoxamine can raise your risk of bleeding or bruising. It's more likely if you also take other medications that have a bleeding risk. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil). Other medications include blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin).
Bleeding can range from minor nosebleeds to more serious issues, like stomach bleeds. Tell a healthcare professional right away about any bruising that doesn't go away or bleeding that's hard to stop. Also get medical help right away if you have black-colored stools or pink or red urine. These can be signs of bleeding that could be serious.
Low sodium levels
- Risk factors: Older adults | Medical condition called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) | Taking diuretics ("water pills") | Dehydrated or low fluid levels in the body
It's possible for fluvoxamine to cause low sodium levels. Tell your care team if you notice symptoms of low sodium while taking this medication. This can include feeling tired, dizzy, or confused or having headaches or balance problems.
Sexual problems
Fluvoxamine can sometimes cause sexual problems. They can include ejaculation problems or erectile dysfunction. Others include low sex drive or problems with orgasms. Let your prescriber know if you have any of these problems that negatively affect your sex life while taking this medication. Your prescriber can help find the cause and suggest ways to help.
Not for use alone for bipolar disorder because of the risk of mania
- Risk factors: Personal or family history of bipolar disorder | History of mania
If you have depression, talk to your prescriber before taking fluvoxamine. Sometimes, depression is the first sign of bipolar disorder. Treating someone with bipolar disorder with an antidepressant like fluvoxamine by itself can cause a manic episode. This can look like having a lot of energy, being very talkative, having racing thoughts, and doing risky things.
Before starting fluvoxamine, also tell your prescriber if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder. And tell them if you've ever had a manic episode before. Your prescriber will check your risk and make sure you get the right care. Fluvoxamine isn't approved to treat bipolar depression.
Angle-closure glaucoma in certain people
- Risk factors: Have narrow-angle eyes but haven't had laser eye surgery for it yet
Fluvoxamine can sometimes cause a sudden eye problem called an angle-closure attack. This is more likely in people with narrow-angle eyes who haven't had laser eye surgery.
Call your eye specialist right away if you suddenly have blurry vision, severe eye pain, or see rings around lights. These can be signs of an angle-closure attack. This needs immediate medical care.
Fluvoxamine dosage
The average cost for 90 tablets of 100mg of Fluvoxamine is $34.87 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 78.80% off the average retail price of $164.49. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25mg | 30 tablets | $12.80 | $0.43 |
| 50mg | 30 tablets | $18.12 | $0.60 |
| 100mg | 90 tablets | $34.87 | $0.39 |
Typical dosage for Fluvoxamine
-
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 50 mg by mouth at bedtime. Your prescriber will adjust your dose every few days based on how the medication is working for you. The maximum recommended dose is 300 mg per day, split into 2 doses taken during the day.
- Children ages 8 to 17 years old: The typical starting dose is 25 mg by mouth at bedtime. The prescriber will adjust the dose every few days based on how well it's working . For children up to age 11, the maximum recommended dose is 200 mg per day, split into 2 doses. For teens, the maximum recommended dose is 300 mg per day, also split into 2 doses during the day.
-
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth once at bedtime. Your prescriber might raise your dose weekly depending on how it works for you. The maximum dose is 300 mg at bedtime.
Your dose might differ if you're an older adult or if you have liver problems.
More on Fluvoxamine dosage
Interactions between Fluvoxamine and other drugs
Fluvoxamine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Fluvoxamine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Fluvoxamine interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Agomelatine
- Alosetron
- Astemizole
- Bromopride
- Cisapride
- Eliglustat
- Furazolidone
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Levomethadyl
- Linezolid
- Methylene Blue
- Metoclopramide
- Moclobemide
- Pargyline
- Phenelzine
- Pimozide
- Procarbazine
- Ramelteon
- Rasagiline
- Selegiline
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Tizanidine
- Tranylcypromine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abciximab
- Acalabrutinib
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acenocoumarol
- Alfentanil
- Almotriptan
- Alprazolam
- Amiodarone
- Amoxapine
- Amphetamine
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Ancrod
- Anisindione
- Antithrombin III Human
- Apixaban
- Ardeparin
- Asenapine
- Aspirin
- Avapritinib
- Bemiparin
- Bendamustine
- Benzhydrocodone
- Benzphetamine
- Bivalirudin
- Bosutinib
- Brigatinib
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Butorphanol
- Cangrelor
- Carvedilol
- Celecoxib
- Certoparin
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clonixin
- Clopidogrel
- Clorgyline
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Colchicine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Defibrotide
- Deflazacort
- Dermatan Sulfate
- Desirudin
- Desmopressin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexfenfluramine
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Dextroamphetamine
- Dextromethorphan
- Diclofenac
- Dicumarol
- Diflunisal
- Dihydrocodeine
- Dihydroergotamine
- Dipyridamole
- Dipyrone
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Droperidol
- Droxicam
- Duloxetine
- Edoxaban
- Eletriptan
- Elexacaftor
- Encorafenib
- Enoxaparin
- Entrectinib
- Epoprostenol
- Eptifibatide
- Ergoloid Mesylates
- Ergonovine
- Ergotamine
- Escitalopram
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenfluramine
- Fenoprofen
- Fentanyl
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Fluoxetine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fondaparinux
- Frovatriptan
- Granisetron
- Heparin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxytryptophan
- Ibrutinib
- Ibuprofen
- Iloprost
- Indomethacin
- Iobenguane I 123
- Iobenguane I 131
- Ivacaftor
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lasmiditan
- Lemborexant
- Levomilnacipran
- Levorphanol
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Lithium
- Lorcaserin
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumateperone
- Lumiracoxib
- Lurbinectedin
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Melatonin
- Meloxicam
- Meperidine
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- Methylergonovine
- Milnacipran
- Mirtazapine
- Morniflumate
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nabumetone
- Nadroparin
- Nalbuphine
- Naproxen
- Naratriptan
- Nepafenac
- Nialamide
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Olaparib
- Ondansetron
- Ospemifene
- Oxaprozin
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Ozanimod
- Palonosetron
- Parecoxib
- Parnaparin
- Paroxetine
- Pemigatinib
- Pentazocine
- Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
- Pexidartinib
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piperaquine
- Pirfenidone
- Piroxicam
- Pixantrone
- Pomalidomide
- Pranoprofen
- Prasugrel
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Remifentanil
- Reviparin
- Rimegepant
- Rivaroxaban
- Rizatriptan
- Rofecoxib
- Safinamide
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Selexipag
- Selumetinib
- Sertraline
- Sibutramine
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sonidegib
- St John's Wort
- Sufentanil
- Sulfinpyrazone
- Sulindac
- Sumatriptan
- Tacrolimus
- Tamoxifen
- Tapentadol
- Tasimelteon
- Tazemetostat
- Tenoxicam
- Tezacaftor
- Theophylline
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlopidine
- Tinzaparin
- Tirofiban
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Toloxatone
- Tolvaptan
- Tramadol
- Treprostinil
- Tryptophan
- Ubrogepant
- Valdecoxib
- Venetoclax
- Vilazodone
- Voclosporin
- Vorapaxar
- Vortioxetine
- Warfarin
- Zanubrutinib
- Ziprasidone
- Zolmitriptan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Fluvoxamine cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Fluvoxamine (generic)
$12.80
Fluvoxamine contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Fluvoxamine will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently taking tizanidine (Zanaflex), thioridazine, alosetron (Lotronex), or pimozide
- Currently taking linezolid (Zyvox) or receiving methylene blue
- Currently taking or have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days
- Currently taking ramelteon (Rozerem) - extended-release capsules only
What are alternatives to Fluvoxamine?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Fluvoxamine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Fluvoxamine
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Fluvoxamine images
