Fluvoxamine tablet

What is this medicine?

FLUVOXAMINE is an antidepressant. It is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bipolar disorder
• liver disease
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to fluvoxamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• alosetron
• certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, and phentermine
• cisapride
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• pimozide
• procarbazine
• ramelteon
• ranolazine
• SSRIs like citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline
• St. John's Wort
• tizanidine
• tryptophan

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• carbamazepine
• clozapine
• diltiazem
• lithium
• migraine headache medicines
• medicines for anxiety or sleep problems like alprazolam or diazepam
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
• metoprolol
• mexiletine
• NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• other medicines used for mental problems like depression or psychosis
• phenytoin
• propranolol
• tacrine
• theophylline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Continue to take your medicine even if you do not immediately feel better. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect of this medicine.

Patients and their families should watch out for depression or thoughts of suicide that get worse. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your doctor.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control
• hallucination, loss of contact with reality
• irregular, pounding heartbeat
• muscle spasms or weakness
• seizures
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusually tired or weak
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• change in sex drive or performance
• diarrhea or constipation
• difficulty sleeping
• headache
• increased sweating
• loss of appetite
• tremors

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from humidity. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.