fluvoxamine
Brand names: Luvox
Fluvoxamine is a medicine that can help treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$5.12/unit
Generic Available
Yes (9 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Common side effects
Abnormal ejaculation, Loss of appetite, Problems having an orgasm
Key warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults.
How It Works
Fluvoxamine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin, fluvoxamine can help reduce the symptoms of OCD.
How to Take It
Take fluvoxamine at bedtime. The usual starting dose for adults is 100 mg. Your doctor may increase the dose by 50 mg each week, up to a maximum of 300 mg per day. Do not crush or chew the capsules.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluvoxamine may cause problems for the baby if taken during pregnancy. Fluvoxamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store fluvoxamine at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 1,132 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2,289 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
2,289
Death-Related Reports
254
Hospitalization Reports
876
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INTERACTION | 215 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 135 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 117 |
| 4 | SOMNOLENCE | 114 |
| 5 | ANXIETY | 103 |
| 6 | SUICIDAL IDEATION | 96 |
| 7 | DEPRESSION | 93 |
| 8 | DIZZINESS | 87 |
| 9 | FATIGUE | 86 |
| 10 | HEADACHE | 86 |
| 11 | INSOMNIA | 83 |
| 12 | SEROTONIN SYNDROME | 81 |
| 13 | PYREXIA | 80 |
| 14 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 79 |
| 15 | SUICIDE ATTEMPT | 77 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, especially if they are new, get worse, or worry you. Watch for suicidal thoughts or actions. Families and caregivers should also be aware of these risks.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.2 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors Concomitant use of tizanidine with strong cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin) is contraindicated.
Mechanism: Fluvoxamine blocks the enzyme that normally clears tizanidine from your body. This leads to much higher amounts of tizanidine in your blood than intended.
What to do: This combination should not be used. Your doctor will need to change one of your medications to a safer option.
Lithium: As with other serotonergic drugs, lithium may enhance the serotonergic effects of fluvoxamine and, therefore, the combination should be used with caution. Seizures have been reported with the coadministration of immediate-release fluvoxamine maleate tablets and lithium.
Mechanism: Both drugs affect a brain chemical called serotonin, and taking them together can cause too much serotonin activity or even seizures.
What to do: Use this combination with caution and watch for signs of serious side effects like seizures.
Drug Interactions In patients receiving nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in combination with serotoninergic agents (e.g., dexfenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine) there have been reports of serious, sometimes fatal, reactions.
Mechanism: Both drugs increase the amount of serotonin in your brain, which can cause a very dangerous and life-threatening reaction.
What to do: Do not use these medicines together because the combination can be fatal.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine): Avoid use of tasimelteon in combination with strong CYP1A2 inhibitors because of increased exposure ( 7.1 , 12.3 ) Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin): Avoid use of tasimelteon in combination with rifampin or other CYP3A4 inducers, because of decreased exposure ( 7.2 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine) Avoid use of tasimelteon in combination with fluvoxamine or other strong CYP1A2 inhibitors because of a potentially large increase in tasimelteon exposure and greater risk of adverse reactions [see Cli...
Mechanism: Fluvoxamine blocks the enzyme that normally breaks down tasimelteon. This causes tasimelteon to build up in your body, which increases the risk of side effects.
What to do: Do not take these two medications at the same time. Your doctor should find an alternative treatment to avoid high drug levels.
Propranolol or Metoprolol: Reduce dose if coadministered with fluvoxamine and titrate more cautiously ( 7.3 ) . One case of bradycardia and hypotension and a second case of orthostatic hypotension have been reported with the coadministration of immediate-release fluvoxamine maleate tablets and metoprolol. If propranolol or metoprolol is coadministered with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules, a reduction in the initial beta-blocker dose and more cautious dose titration are recommended.
Mechanism: Fluvoxamine slows down how your body processes metoprolol. This can cause the heart medicine to build up, leading to a dangerously slow heart rate or low blood pressure.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of metoprolol and monitor your heart rate and blood pressure very closely.
Common Questions
Can I stop taking fluvoxamine suddenly?
Can I drink alcohol while taking fluvoxamine?
How long does it take for fluvoxamine to start working?
What should I do if I experience side effects?
Can I take other medications with fluvoxamine?
What if the lowest dose is still too strong for my child?
How often will my doctor check on me while I'm taking this?
What if I have liver problems?
Can smoking affect this medicine?
What if I'm over 65?
What are the common side effects of fluvoxamine?
Does fluvoxamine interact with other medications?
What drug class is fluvoxamine?
Is fluvoxamine safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Other drugs grouped near fluvoxamine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with fluvoxamine →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with fluvoxamine →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with fluvoxamine →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
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aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with fluvoxamine →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for fluvoxamine
The FDA label for fluvoxamine (sold under brand names such as Luvox) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class. Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Official labeling lists 9 commonly reported side effects, including Abnormal ejaculation, Loss of appetite, Problems having an orgasm.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,132 voluntary reports. The database also lists 40 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $5.12.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 4, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages