Have you ever heard of a condition where you or someone you know has recurring, intrusive thoughts? We call this condition Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD for short. Fluvoxamine is a medication that doctors often prescribe to treat these conditions. So today, let's talk about this medication, how it works, what to watch out for when using it, and the possible side effects.
What kind of medicine is Fluvoxamine?
Simply put, Fluvoxamine is a medication used to treat a mental condition called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) . It belongs to a class of drugs called SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that is important for regulating feelings of happiness and calmness. In conditions like OCD, this serotonin level can become unbalanced. So, this medication helps maintain the amount of serotonin in the brain at a proper level. This can help control the symptoms of OCD. Sometimes, your doctor may also prescribe this medication for other mental conditions.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting fluvoxamine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has any of the following conditions:
| Information type | Things to tell your doctor |
|---|---|
| Mental health history | - Having a bipolar condition or a family history of it. - Having previously had thoughts, plans, or attempts at suicide. |
| Other illnesses | - Bleeding disorders. - Glaucoma condition. - Heart disease. - Liver diseases. - Low sodium levels in the body. - Seizures. - Thyroid diseases. |
| Other medications being taken | - MAOI medications (e.g. Carbex, Marplan, Nardil). - Medicines that prevent blood clotting or thin the blood (e.g. Warfarin). |
| Other points | - Trying to get pregnant or being pregnant. - Breastfeeding the baby. - Allergies to fluvoxamine or other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to take the correct dosage, at the correct time, as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- You can take this with or without food.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- Most importantly: Never stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause your symptoms to worsen and you may experience withdrawal symptoms. If you do stop taking the medication, do so under your doctor's supervision, and gradually reduce the dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital.
Although this medicine is recommended for children over 8 years of age for some conditions, special care should be taken. Therefore, if you give this medicine to your child, follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Fluvoxamine can interact with other medications, herbal products, and alcohol. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter medications, pain relievers, vitamins, herbal products - even herbal teas).
| Reaction type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Never take fluvoxamine with these. | |
| Severely conflicting medications | MAOI medications (such as Parnate, Nardil), Linezolid, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Tizanidine. |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking these. | |
| Alcohol | Drinking alcohol can increase the side effects of the medication (such as drowsiness). |
| Painkillers | Aspirin and NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen) can increase the risk of bleeding. |
| Medications for other mental illnesses | Other antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications. |
| Blood thinners | Drugs such as Warfarin and Enoxaparin. |
| Herbal products | Products like St. John's Wort. |
Things to consider when taking the medicine
- Be patient: It may take several weeks for the full effects of this medicine to be felt. Therefore, do not stop taking the medicine just because you do not feel any difference in the first few days. Continue to use it as directed by your doctor.
- Watch for mood changes: Some people may experience mood changes, especially early in treatment or when the dose is changed. For example, they may experience anxiety, increased distressing thoughts, irritability, trouble sleeping, or suicidal thoughts . If you or someone in your family notices any of these changes, tell your doctor right away.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up or sitting down quickly, especially if you are elderly.
- Dry mouth: If you feel like your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum and drinking more water may help.
Possible side effects
Like any medication, fluvoxamine can cause side effects. Most of these are not serious, but there are some things we need to be especially careful about.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black stools, vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, and red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Restlessness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching, excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea. |
| Other serious symptoms | Seizures, suicidal thoughts, symptoms of low sodium levels in the body (muscle weakness, severe headache, confusion). |
| Side effects that are common but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Common side effects | - Drowsiness. - Nausea (feeling sick). - Difficulty falling asleep. - Anorexia. - Sweating. - Body tremors. - Changes in sexual desire or function. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Fluvoxamine is an SSRI drug that treats conditions like OCD and regulates serotonin levels in the brain.
- Never stop taking your medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- It is imperative to inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- Be aware of any changes in your mental state (especially suicidal thoughts) during the initial stages of treatment. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
- Continue treatment with patience, as it may take several weeks to see the full effects of the medication.
- If you take too much medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or contact the National Poisons Information Center.
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