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Fluvoxamine

  • If you are being treated for depression you should stay on treatment for at least 6 months.
  • Fluvoxamine is used in children to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, not depression.
  • It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first.
  • You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.

About fluvoxamine

Type of medicine Antidepressant: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Used for Depression
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - an urge to continually repeat the same actions
Also called Faverin
Available as Tablets

Fluvoxamine works by preventing serotonin from being taken back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released serotonin. In this way, fluvoxamine helps relieve depression. It is not known how it relieves obsessive compulsive disorder.

Before taking fluvoxamine

Before taking fluvoxamine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you are taking antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
  • If you have ever had feelings of self-harm.
  • If you have liver of kidney problems.
  • If you suffer from diabetes mellitus.
  • If you suffer from epilepsy.
  • If you suffer from bleeding disorders.
  • If you are being treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) .
  • If you suffer from mania (over-active and excitable behaviour).

How to take fluvoxamine

  • Generally, the dose is taken once daily, in the evening.
  • If you are being treated for depression you should stay on treatment for at least 6 months.
  • Fluvoxamine is used in children to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, not depression.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first.
  • If you feel your depression has got worse, or if you have any distressing thoughts or feelings in these first few weeks, then you should talk to your doctor.
  • You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, sleep disturbances (including intense dreams), feeling sick, headache, a feeling of weakness, pins and needles and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms are temporary and are not due to addiction or dependence on the medicine. They can usually be avoided by stopping the medicine gradually, usually over a period of weeks or months, depending on your individual situation. Follow the instructions given by your doctor when it is time to stop treatment with this medicine.
  • If you experience feelings of drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching or fits, see your doctor so that your blood sodium level can be checked if necessary to rule out hyponatraemia (low levels of sodium in your blood).

Can fluvoxamine cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick Eat little and often.
Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
If you are sick, drink plenty of liquid.
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer.
Dry mouth Try chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking pieces of ice or sugar-free sweets.
Dizziness, sleepiness Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness.
Tremor, palpitations, difficulty sleeping Avoid large amounts of caffeine (in tea, coffee, coca cola, etc) while taking this medicine as fluvoxamine can increase your blood level of caffeine therefore making these side effects worse.
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.

How to store fluvoxamine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
1419		 DocRef:
dils2536		 Last Updated:
2 Feb 2007		 Date of Next Review:
1 Feb 2009		 Version:
22
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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