The generic name for Luvox is fluvoxamine and it is an oral drug that is prescribed for treating a variety of psychiatric disorders. It is part of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) class of medications. This class also includes drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).
SSRI alter the way neurotransmitters in the brain interact with each other. They help the message get from nerve to nerve in cases where the transmission may be failing. Many people believe this miscommunication between neurons leads to a depressive state and other psychiatric disorders.
Fluvoxamine works by inhibiting the uptake of serotonin. There is more serotonin available to stimulate the neurons so the psychological condition improves. Therefore, while fluvoxamine does not cure OCD, it does treat the symptoms of OCD effectively giving some relief to the sufferer. When used in combination with behavior medication therapy success rates in treatment of OCD increase. Once the depression and anxiety has been eliminated, many people feel more capable of learning to confront the disease and change the way they react to it.
Fluvoxamine was approved for use for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in 1994. It is also used to treat major depression, obesity, bulimia, schizophrenia and panic disorder. It has also been approved for use in adults, teens and children.
Side effects include anxiety, stress, nervousness, sweating, nausea, decreased appetite, constipation diarrhea, dry mouth, sleepiness, dizziness, insomnia and sexual dysfunction. Cessation of the medication may lead to withdrawal symptoms.
There are a handful of SSRIs approved for use with OCD. If Fluvox doesn’t work for you, talk to your doctor. There are alternatives.
Source: FDA, WebMD
