Fluvoxamine Health Risks

In addition to the health risks announced in the FDA alerts (above), there may be other dangers associated with fluvoxamine use.

Do not stop taking fluvoxamine suddenly. Doing so may result in harmful side effects. Your healthcare professional should slowly decrease your dose as necessary.

The risks of using fluvoxamine include:

• An increased risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions
• Bleeding problems, especially if taken with aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or other drugs that affect bleeding
• Mania (becoming hyperactive, excitable, or elated)
• Seizures (even if fluvoxamine is not taken close in time with a MAOI)
• Increased risks if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Babies born to mothers taking fluvoxamine late in pregnancy have developed problems such as difficulty breathing and feeding
• Sexual problems including impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal ejaculation, difficulty in reaching orgasm, or decreased libido (sexual desire)

Other side effects of fluvoxamine use include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nervousness
• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Weakness
• Decreased appetite
• Sleepiness

It is important to tell your healthcare professional about all known medical conditions, especially if you have liver or kidney disease, or glaucoma. Tell your healthcare professional if you breast-feed or are planning to breast-feed your baby.

Can Other Medicines or Food Affect Fluvoxamine?

In order to avoid dangerous interactions with any medicines you might be taking, tell your healthcare professional about all prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements that you take.

Medicines of special concern include:

• Certain benzodiazepines, which treat anxiety
• Mexitil (mexiletine), which treats heart beat problems
• Theophylline, which treats asthma
• Warfarin, which treats blood clots

If you plan to drink alcohol while taking fluvoxamine, talk to your healthcare professional.