Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluvoxamine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Fluvoxamine is used to treat social anxiety disorder (social phobia), or obsessive-compulsive disorders involving recurring thoughts or actions.

Fluvoxamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take fluvoxamine if you are allergic to it, or if you are also taking alosetron (Lotronex), linezolid (Zyvox), ramelteon (Rozerem), tizanidine (Zanaflex), thioridazine (Mellaril), pimozide (Orap), or an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Some of these medications can cause serious or life-threatening drug interactions when taken within 14 days before or after taking fluvoxamine.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Many other drugs can interact with fluvoxamine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medication. Fluvoxamine may cause heart defects or serious lung problems in a newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of OCD symptoms if you stop taking fluvoxamine. Do not start or stop taking the medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to fluvoxamine, or if you are also taking:

• alosetron (Lotronex);

• ramelteon (Rozerem);

• tizanidine (Zanaflex);

• thioridazine (Mellaril);

• pimozide (Orap); or

• an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Some of these medications can cause serious or life-threatening drug interactions when taken together with fluvoxamine. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take fluvoxamine. After you stop taking fluvoxamine, you must wait at least 14 days before you can start taking an MAOI.

To make sure you can safely take fluvoxamine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver or kidney disease;

• heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

• low levels or sodium in your blood (an electrolyte imbalance).

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking fluvoxamine, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medication. Fluvoxamine may cause heart defects or serious lung problems in a newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of OCD symptoms if you stop taking fluvoxamine. Do not start or stop taking the medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.

Fluvoxamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using fluvoxamine.

Do not give fluvoxamine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.