Fluvoxamine Maleate
About
Fluvoxamine Maleate belongs to the class of medications called antidepressants used to treat neurological diseases such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss, or anger. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the excessive thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviour.
Fluvoxamine Maleate contains Fluvoxamine maleate, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It increases the release of the serotonin hormone in the body, which is responsible for improving mood, cognition, and memory. Thereby, Fluvoxamine Maleate helps improve mood and provides relief from the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Take Fluvoxamine Maleate as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Fluvoxamine Maleate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience common side effects like nausea, vomiting, nervousness, headache, dry mouth, indigestion, and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects of Fluvoxamine Maleate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Fluvoxamine Maleate if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to fluvoxamine maleate or other ingredients present in Fluvoxamine Maleate. Before taking Fluvoxamine Maleate, inform your doctor if you have a low sodium level in the blood, increased risk of bleeding, suicidal thoughts, liver problems, family history of depressive disorder, intestinal ulcer (bleeding in the intestine) or glaucoma. Avoid taking Fluvoxamine Maleate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses of Fluvoxamine Maleate
Medicinal Benefits
Fluvoxamine Maleate belongs to the class of antidepressants used to treat neurological diseases such as depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Fluvoxamine Maleate is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It increases the release of the serotonin hormone, which balances the excitatory responses in the body. It helps in improving mood, memory, cognition, and learning. It also helps to regulate digestion, sleep cycle, and food cravings.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Fluvoxamine Maleate
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Increased sweating
- Nervousness
- Tremor
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Fluvoxamine Maleate if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to fluvoxamine maleate or other ingredients present in Fluvoxamine Maleate. Before taking Fluvoxamine Maleate, inform your doctor if you have a low sodium level in the blood, increased risk of bleeding, suicidal thoughts, liver problems, kidney problems, family history of depressive disorder, intestinal ulcer (bleeding in the intestine), and glaucoma. Avoid taking Fluvoxamine Maleate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Fluvoxamine Maleate may cause dizziness, so drive with caution. Do not take alcohol with Fluvoxamine Maleate as it may cause increased dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction: Fluvoxamine Maleate may interact with medicines such as pain killers (aspirin, tramadol), immune suppressants (ciclosporin), medicines used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (mexiletine), medicines used to treat pain and withdrawal symptoms (methadone), epilepsy medications (phenytoin or carbamazepine), blood pressure-lowering pills (propranolol), Parkinson's disease (ropinirole), migraine medications (sumatriptan), asthma medications (theophylline), antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel), and blood thinner (warfarin).
Drug-Food interaction: Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of Fluvoxamine Maleate, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. It would be best if you avoid or limit alcohol use while being treated with Fluvoxamine Maleate.
Drug-Disease interaction: Fluvoxamine Maleate should be used with caution in patients with liver disease, seizures, hyponatremia (low sodium level in blood), and weight loss.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption with Fluvoxamine Maleate. Fluvoxamine Maleate interacts with alcohol and increases the risk of side effects like dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeFluvoxamine Maleate is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Fluvoxamine Maleate should be used during pregnancy with caution only when your doctor prescribed it because the use of this Fluvoxamine Maleate in the last three months may cause harm to the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
unsafeFluvoxamine Maleate is not recommended in breastfeeding women because it may pass into breast milk and produce an undesirable effect.
Driving
cautionFluvoxamine Maleate causes dizziness. So, drive or operate heavy machinery only if you are alert
Liver
cautionFluvoxamine Maleate to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionFluvoxamine Maleate to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions as dose adjustment might be required.
Children
cautionFluvoxamine Maleate is not recommended for use in children below 8years for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. The safety and effectiveness of Fluvoxamine Maleate in children below 18years for treating depression have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Avoid processed or packed foods and foods that are high in refined sugars.
- Exercise regularly.
- Lose excess weight and keep a check on your weight.
- Avoid stress.
- Improve your mood by being active, socializing with others, and talking about your feelings.
- Quit alcohol intake and smoking.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Depression: Depression is a mental health disorder in which patients experience persistent loss of interest or mood and feelings of sadness. It affects the quality of life and causes changes in sleep, appetite, social behaviour, learning abilities, concentration, and self-esteem.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): As the name suggests, patients experience obsessions (intruding excessive thoughts) that cause compulsions (impulsive behaviour). It is characterized by nervousness, repetitive movements or words, and increased alertness.
FAQs
Fluvoxamine Maleate increases the serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical messenger in the brain responsible for improving the mood and physical symptoms of depression. Thus, it effectively relieves symptoms of depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Do not stop Fluvoxamine Maleate without your doctor's advice. Sudden discontinuation may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety. Take Fluvoxamine Maleate for as long as it has been prescribed. If you experience any difficulty, consult your doctor.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Fluvoxamine Maleate. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Fluvoxamine Maleate may cause weight loss due to loss of appetite. However, the chances of weight loss are not known. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly to have a proper weight. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Fluvoxamine Maleate may cause delayed ejaculation and anorgasmia (failure to achieve orgasm). Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
