Luvox: The Unpopular Antidepressant

Luvox (Fluvoxamine) is an antidepressant of the class SSRI, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which affects brain chemistry in a way that combats major depression. It is also used to combat obsessive-compulsive disorder. Luvox is now no longer sold in the United States market, having been taken off in 2002 following negative press related to the Columbine Massacre. However, generic versions of fluvoxamine are sold at quite low prices, making fluvoxamine an effective and inexpensive antidepressant. Luvox is useful for patients who have to stop taking another SSRI due to debilitating side effects, which can be fairly common. Luvox has no less side effects than other antidepressants, but Luvox has different pharmacological effects than other SSRI antidepresants, so some patients may not experience as many side effects as they would taking other SSRI antidepressants. Luvox is also noted for its low incidence of sexual side effects, such as reduced libido or anorgasmia. However, some patients still experience lowered libido when taking Luvox.

Side effects of Luvox are usual SSRI side effects, and an include dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea, anxiety, mania, and constipation. Most of these side effects should subside as the patient becomes acclimated to Luvox, usually when the antidepressant effect of Luvox is in full swing, about a month into the treatment regimen. For some patients, these symptoms still persist, and in some cases can be uncomfortable enough for you to stop taking Luvox. You can ask your doctor and request to be switched to a different antidepressant if this is your case. In rare cases, Luvox can also potentially cause or contribute to Tourette's Syndrome and anorexia. It is important to be observed by a caregiver or by your medical professional when taking any antidepressant medication, as changes in mood may appear suddenly. You should contact your doctor if you experience any serious side effects or personality changes.

Luvox shares severe SSRI withdrawal symptoms with all other antidepressants of the SSRI class, although anecdotal evidence suggests that the incidence of severe SSRI withdrawal with Luvox is less than with other antidepressants. Symptoms of severe SSRI withdrawal include the feeling of electric shocks running up and down your body, intense confusion, wild mood swings, insomnia, extreme irritability, and other unpleasant mental conditions. In order to avoid this, you should not stop taking Luvox suddenly, and should instead ask your doctor to taper your dosage of Luvox so that you come off of Luvox gradually rather than at once, giving your neurochemistry time to adjust.

Luvox is not a particularly popular antidepressant, as it came under scrutiny after the Columbine Massacre of 1999. One of the killers, Eric Harris, had been taking Luvox and had been denied entrance into the marines because of it. This led to a public outcry against antidepressants and an investigation into antidepressant effects on youth. It was revealed that Luvox (fluvoxamine) causes mania in about 4% of youths taking the drug. This caused sales of Luvox to spiral downward rapidly, as people linked Luvox to mania. However, fluoxamine, sold as Prozac in the United States, showed a 6% chance of inducing mania in teenagers, so Luvox is actually one of the safer antidepressants.

Luvox remains a very safe and effective treatment for clinical depression, even though negative press has reduced its usage. Fluvoxamine is available generically, so it is not as expensive as other antidepressants who are still protected by patents. You and your doctor should not let one incident in the media scare you away from this drug, and you should consider using it, especially if safety and cost are a concern.

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