Luvox is a potent Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) with approximately 100-fold attraction to the serotonin transporter over norepinephrine. This is the highest affinity for the Serotonin receptor of any SSRI on the market.

Many drugs and natural items can interact with Luvox including St. Johns Wort, other antidepressants, MAO Inhibitors, Turmeric, and sedatives, to name a few.

Luvox has a half-life of approximately 15 hours, which is the shortest of all SSRIs. This may contribute to the Discontinuation Syndrome, or withdrawals. Several key factors that influence withdrawals include the length of time on Luvox, dosage, additional medications or health challenges.

Luvox (Fluvoxamine) was developed by Kali-Duphar, a division of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Belgium, and is now Abbott Laboratories. Luvox was introduced into Switzerland and West Germany in 1983 and then approved by the FDA in December 1994. Luvox was the first SSRI to be registered by the FDA in 1997 for obsessive- compulsive disorder in children. By late 1995 more than ten million patients were treated with Luvox.  In 1999 Luvox was approved for the treatment of depression.

Serotonin is a hormone and neurotransmitter found in the human brain, blood platelets, pineal gland and the central nervous system, but over 90% of our Serotonin is found in the digestive tract where it is used to regulate intestinal movements.

Serotonin affects many physiologic properties, including inhibiting gastric secretion, stimulation of smooth muscles and as a vasoconstrictor. It is also an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, involved in pain transmission and perception, influencing behavior, tiredness, sleep, mood and mental fatigue. Serotonin also directly influences both moral judgment and behavior.  The widespread function of Serotonin helps to explain why the side effects and withdrawals from Luvox have a profound effect on multiple systems of the body.

Many drugs and natural items can interact with Luvox including St. Johns Wort, other antidepressants, MAO Inhibitors, Turmeric, and sedatives, to name a few.

At Point of Return we assess each client’s situation individual. Our goal is to minimize your Luvox withdrawal symptoms with specific all-natural nutraceuticals but we implement no herbs due to the interaction risk. People taper at a slow rate of withdrawal that is right for their situation and we guide you each step of the way. 

top of page

LUVOX WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:

aggression, anxiety, balance issues , blurred vision, brain zaps, concentration impairment, constipation, crying spells, depersonalization, diarrhea, dizziness. electric shock sensations, fatigue, flatulence, flu-like symptoms, hallucinations, hostility, highly emotional, indigestion, irritability, impaired speech, insomnia, jumpy nerves, lack of coordination, lethargLUVOX WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE: y, migraine headaches / increased headaches, nausea, nervousness, over-reacting to situations, paranoia, repetitive thoughts or songs, sensory & sleep disturbances, severe internal restlessness (akathisia), stomach cramps, tremors, tinnitus (ear ringing or buzzing), tingling sensations, troubling thoughts, visual hallucinations / illusions, vivid dreams, speech issues, visual changes, worsened depression

LUVOX SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE: 

abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation or orgasm, anxiety, appetite loss, blurred vision, chills, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, frequent urination, flushing, gas, headache, impotence, infection, insomnia, muscle tension, nausea, nervousness, rash, sleepiness, sweating, tingling feeling, tremor, upset stomach, vomiting, weakness, yawning, abnormal taste, abnormal thinking, agitation, chest pain, confusion, decreased sex drive, depression, dilated pupils, dizziness upon standing up, high blood pressure, itching, loss of identity, rapid heartbeat, ringing in the ears, trauma, twitching, urinary problems, weight loss

LUVOX ADVERSE REACTIONS MAY INCLUDE:   

Body as a Whole:  Infrequent: chills, malaise, photosensitivity reaction, suicide attempt. 

Cardiovascular System: Infrequent: syncope. 

Digestive System: Infrequent: eructation, increased salivation. 

Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders:  Frequent: weight gain. 

Nervous System: Infrequent: confusion, incoordination, sleep disorder, suicidal tendency. 

Skin and Appendages:  Infrequent: eczema, urticaria. 

Special Senses: Infrequent: dry eyes, photophobia, taste loss. Urogenital System: Infrequent: vaginal hemorrhage. 

Body as a Whole :  Infrequent: allergic reaction, neck pain, neck rigidity, overdose; Rare: sudden death. 

Cardiovascular System:  Frequent: hypotension; Infrequent: angina pectoris, bradycardia, cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular disease, cold extremities, conduction delay, myocardial infarction, pallor, pulse irregular, ST segmentchanges; Rare: AV block, cerebrovascular accident, embolus, pericarditis, phlebitis, pulmonary infarction, supraventricular extrasystoles. 

According to the FDA:

If the decision has been made to discontinue treatment, medication should be tapered, as rapidly as is feasible, but with recognition that abrupt discontinuation can be associated with certain symptoms (see PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ― Discontinuation of Treatment with LUVOX Tablets, for a description of the risks of discontinuation of LUVOX Tablets).

Discontinuation of Treatment with LUVOX Tablets

Symptoms associated with discontinuation of other SSRIs or SNRIs have been reported. (See PRECAUTIONS.) Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment. A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate.

REFERENCES:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(19)30032-X/fulltext

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4722507/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2424117/

top of page