Luvox

The generic for Luvox is Fluvoxamine. Drugs of this generic belong to a group termed as SSRIs. SSRIs are actually selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Drugs belonging to this group work to increase activity of a certain chemical called serotonin. This increase in activity should take place in the brain.

Luvox is mainly used in treating obsessive-compulsive disorders. In fact, Luvox for OCD is very popular. You may have heard Luvox stories that people take Luvox for depression. There are also talks of people who take Luvox for bipolar disorders. Luvox is taken primarily for OCD. But there really is no clear line between disorders because the symptoms of such cross over from one disorder to another sometimes. It is completely up to your physician whether or not you should take Luvox for such disorders.

Luvox side effects are not of the kind that can be ignored. In fact, you should inform your physician about any side effect that has manifested during your treatment. The side effects of Luvox include mood changes, panic attacks, mania, anxiety, insomnia, mania, aggression, agitation, suicidal thoughts, and restlessness. If any of these symptoms happen, be sure to inform your physician immediately. The same goes if these side effects worsen.

Not everyone can take Luvox, especially when he or she is taking certain medications. These medications include thioridazine, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Components of such medicines interfere with that of Luvox, and can cause conflicting effects. If you are taking any of these drugs, there must be a waiting period of at least two weeks before and after you take them. For example, you’re taking pimozide, and your physician is prescribing Luvox for you. In this case, you have to stop taking pimozide, and let two weeks pass before you start your Luvox treatment. After your treatment, let another two weeks pass before you do back to taking pimozide. The same goes for the other drugs. This is just the typical setup. It is still best to inform your physician about the drugs you are taking before you start Luvox treatment. Your physician alone can determine whether or not it’s safe for you to take Luvox.

SSRIs are known to be very harmful to unborn babies. These drugs can cause serious lung problems in unborn babies. And Luvox is one of these drugs that can cause this. This is why it’s not advisable to take Luvox when you are pregnant. Luvox belongs to the FDA pregnancy category C. This indicates that Luvox is indeed very harmful to unborn babies. The same goes for women who are nursing babies. Luvox can be transmitted to babies through breast milk. If you are nursing a baby, be sure to inform your physician first.

But if you have been taking Luvox, and you get pregnant, do not stop your Luvox treatment right away. Consult your physician regarding the matter first. The sudden absence of Luvox can cause a serious relapse into the disorder the drug is supposed to be treating in the first place. Nor should you make the decision of decreasing the dosage of Luvox yourself. Decreasing or increasing Luvox doses should be at the discretion of the physician, not the patient.

When taking Luvox, be sure to follow your physician’s instructions. Do not take smaller or larger doses than what was prescribed for you. Always take the prescribed dosage. Your physician may also change your dose once in a while, depending on your progress. This is why you have to keep your physician posted at all times. It takes roughly four weeks for the effects of Luvox to kick in. Do not stop your treatment at any time, even if you start feeling better. The go signal must come from your physician.