Luvox

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Luvox is a drug that was released by the Solvay corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Luvox in December of 1994. Luvox is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. Official Luvox Website
If you or someone you know has had a problem with Luvox feel free to call the advertising section of FDA at (301) 827-2828. Also fill out the Medwatch form and also call FDA at 1-800-FDA 1088 press 0 or call (301) 443-1240.
Luvox Feedback and Side Effects

i found this drug to be absolutly intrusive on my life i had to ulta to this drug and change my everyday patterns. i do not think children under the age of 18 should take this drug because they may have the suicidel affect on them that it did on me.

Posted by: chloe at April 19, 2004 12:08 PM

Luvox has been great for me, a little on the tired side but I am lucky enough to take a nap a day!

Posted by: cozzie at July 12, 2004 2:02 PM

Luvox has changed my life. I can now function like a normal human being. I feel emotionally stronger than I have in a long time. My family are so glad to have the old Sophie back.

Posted by: sophie at November 27, 2004 4:47 AM

I was given luvox for 5 years and in that time had countless suicide attempts, quick to anger and lose control. It was always explained that was part of my bipolar disorder. After weeks of breaking free from the luvox, which included seizures, loss of body control, weakness, vomiting, (This was with tapering off as directed). I feel like there is hope again, I have a new Dr. new therapy, new goals and I feel like I am living again. LUVOX was killing me, I was uninformed about side effects. My first attempt at suicide, there should have been some big red flag saying-you know this Luvox my not be the safest med. But it's one of the most expensive and we must feed that machine at the cost of how many lives. I am a young mother of 3, I have a college education which I am now driven to pursue, to be an advocate for people who have had to endure the system as I did at my worst.

Posted by: gwen at January 1, 2005 9:00 AM

Luvox is a fantastic medication. A number of all the other medications did not work for me. I pray it will be put back on the US market. It has made me feel normal, happy, and has no negative sexual side effects. Please put this medicine back on the market. I really don't want to go to Mexico or Canada to get it but I will - no mile is too far to go for happiness.

Posted by: Stephanie Stephens at March 16, 2005 10:28 PM

Been on Luvox for 5 years. Took my life defining OCD and turned it into a minor nuisance. It has definitely helped. No weird suicidal side effects etc.

Posted by: Matt at March 31, 2005 10:45 PM

I took Luvox after suffering for years with Obsessive Compulsive disorer. The very same day that I took it, it seemed to work wonders. The compulsions disappeared immediately, I felt so much relief it was beautiful. However, the effects seemed to wear off after several months.

Posted by: LO at April 6, 2005 10:40 AM


Luvox stopped mu darling hubbie from exploding in what seemed to others to be a homicidal rage (I knew it was just impulse control probs) , and has him participating in family life for the first time, has almost cured his depression and agoraphobia....BUT the side effects so far are HORRIBLE. Headaches, shakiness, dizziness, nausea, anorgasmic (the worste thing of all- he was a sex maniac!), and tiredness as well as some continuing depression... I will look for something else to help him as soon as I can...

Posted by: jjh at May 3, 2005 4:36 AM

my daughter has been on luvox for ten years. she has ocd. it has helped with that some what. after first year she developed colitis,then trimmers,clumbiness,uncontroled movement,seizer like activity,kidneyproblems,memoryloss, drooling,we have spent two years in neroligy offices,two yearsin therapy,to help with anger worry and fear of what is causing all these progressive symptons, and i had to stumbleon the possibilityof it beeing luvox relatedmyself.

Posted by: at June 13, 2005 3:21 PM

Luvox is great for depression & ocd!.....but there is loss of libido (complete) and some gastro problems...but still i'm thankful i can take it..

Posted by: at June 20, 2005 8:13 AM

i do not need medication i need mediation. i have this uncontrolable temper that affects my judgement and my relationshops with both my children and fiance and ijust can not take it any more i need help can you help me without medication.

Posted by: at August 24, 2005 5:35 PM

made me too sleepy, no sex drive, i feel like i don't care, and i sleep all day and loss of appatite. 100mg in morning and 100mgs at night.
treatment for my depression.

Posted by: Debbie Ubias at December 16, 2005 5:49 PM

I used to take Luvox 50mg when i was going through a difficult time in my life. Depressions caught me when I ended a relationship. I took the prescription for approximately 3 months while I was under alot of stress and was not feeling good. I took it at a time in my life when i did not fully understand the world around me. It has been about 10 years since I've stopped taking it and it was a real eye opener, in a very negative way. It took me a while to understand that happiness truly comes from within. An internal problem usually cannot be overcome with external forces. Counselling would have been best for me as the side effects of the drug almost killed me. I could not think straight, and went through the worst paranoia I have ever experienced in my life. In a few way's, it was a positive experience, as it taught me that I can control the way i feel. I wonder why "abnormal thinking: is not listed on the side effects, as when i went back to my doctor after stopping the medication myself, he was asking me of certain side effects and he mentioned a few that, after thinking about it, he must have had other patients who experience the same side effects. One was that i felt that i had two brains. One controlling my thoughts and the other was my normal functioning, ie bodily functions, walking talking ect. He asked me if it felt like i had two brains, and if he asked me that specific question, he must have had previous patients who have had the same side effects. man, if you think about it, is going through all of the side effects worth the pain? Alot of times, i could not think rationally and did have some disturbing thoughts, paranoia, lack of trust, and the feeling of a lack of self control and the feeling of a "runaway brain". It taught me that life is short, don't sweat the bad stuff as although we go through difficult times in our lives, things will eventually improve and get better without drugs such as these. Counselling is the best way of dealing with issues, you CAN control the way you think, you can end bad thoughts, it takes alot of self-reassuring. beleive me, it took me a long time. You are ok, you are not that bad, there are other people out there like you that get along fine without anti depressants. it take mental self controll. Speak to a counsellor or ask yourself, is the side effects worth the cure? like a previous person said in an earlier blog, it takes meditation, not medication. Think about the side effects. Is your life really that bad? If you are able bodied, think about other people in much worse situations, famines, wars, strife ect.. and truly ask yourself, are things really that bad?
There are people who really need this medication, and i hope they get it, and there are people who just need someone to talk to.

Which are you? I hope this has helped anyone who may think that they don't need anti depressants, just take a good long look in the mirror and ask yourself, is it really that bad?

Posted by: colin at January 13, 2006 5:30 PM

I've been suffering from anxiety for years now. Doctor just put me on Luvox yesterday. I took 50m last night. During the night I woke up and became very anxious and nervious--not a nice feeling. Today I felt good till about 11am. From 11 till now (4pm) I've been suffering from a horrible depression (something I don't suffer from!). I'm done with medications. Same thing happened with Zoloft.

Posted by: ken at February 7, 2006 12:42 AM

I have been taking Luvox for 17 days. I can barely stay awake at my job, and I just want to sleep all the time. I have gained about 10 pounds since I started taking it. I was training for a marathon before, now I don't even have the energy or the ambition to go out for a short run. I feel cold all the time. I feel hypoglycemic, and eating helps for a little while, but doesn't take away the hypoglycemic feeling completely. I think I am going to stop taking it, its just not worth it.

Posted by: clyde at March 16, 2006 5:39 PM

LUV 4 LUVOX 4 EVA i take it under the european trademark name Fevarin and it's awesome, i feel no noticable side-effects what so ever. Sexual cogs working, physical readiness optimal, ALL SYSTEMS GO i feel like i wanted to feel once again.

By what i've read it either has completely amazing miraculous resaults, or completely horrible ones. I don't think it's the drug's fault, but the slight differences in individual phyisiology or misdiagnosis. If experiencing negative effects request a change of therapy emmediately.

Posted by: Peppie at April 30, 2006 7:25 AM

hello
I am contacting you as my husband is on your drug *Luvox*
I need to be assured that this drug will give him a life..
As his view of life has distorted dramatically since he has been prescribed this drug.

I rang his doctor this morning telling him ..just what he is like.
More aggressive in himself/highly suicidal..

He is at present taking one 100mg nightly
His doctor has instructed myself to take his medication of *Luvox* up to 150mg a night..

Can you please assure myself that this is correct.
He will not leave this house /I am his enemy(beleive me his life is going down fast).
The side of his face feels as if its burning/so many other problems have arisen since this drug has been introduced to my husband..

What is *luvox* supposed to do..Is there any chance he will improve as he has been taking this drug since late jan/feb this year??

Please can you help with some assurance

awaiting your reply
glynis Howarth
25 De'lisle Drive
Watanobbi
NSW...2259
AUSTRALIA

Posted by: glynis Howarth at May 5, 2006 1:20 AM

Luvox helped me with my depression and suicidal thoughts. However, after some weeks I was content to doze during the day for long periods. I have been off the drug for 5 weeks and still have withdrawal symptoms. One is the burning face mentioned by Glynis.
Jim

Posted by: jim at June 3, 2006 5:35 PM

I have been on LUVOX for 18 months and although it did help me in the begining to treat my anxiety and OCD, the depression aspect barely went away. I feel like it's not doing anything for me anymore and I don't feel like doing anything except lying on the couch, watching tv, and eating cookies. I've been on a few SSRI's before and this one had the least amount of side effects, but I need to switch soon before I turn into a piece of lard.

Posted by: at June 6, 2006 2:55 PM

I have been on LUVOX for 18 months and although it did help me in the begining to treat my anxiety and OCD, the depression aspect barely went away. I feel like it's not doing anything for me anymore and I don't feel like doing anything except lying on the couch, watching tv, and eating cookies. I've been on a few SSRI's before and this one had the least amount of side effects, but I need to switch soon before I turn into a piece of lard.

Posted by: Marc at June 6, 2006 2:56 PM

I have been on Luvox for about 20 years...it changed my life for the better! As the side effect was nausea I decided to take 1/2 of a 50mg pill. It turned out to be perfect for me. My doctor cannot believe it works at such a low dosage but it really does. I have tried taking the whole pill, 50mg, but i feel a lot worse. No side effects. Although I do not sleep great I never have so was wondering if I could take a small dosage of 5HTP??

Posted by: Joey at June 23, 2006 12:09 AM

I dont know what to do Iam out of my mind. I have been able to wean myself off Luvox after 5 years. The weaning process took 3 months I have been clean for 3 weeks. I have burning in my skin feelings. My arms and face are burnig and I have crying attacks and anxiety which I never had before. How ling is this hell supposed to last. Does anyone know?

Posted by: at July 13, 2006 4:40 AM

Luvox has worked wonders for my OCD. I've been on it for about three months. I was diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder, type II, and my psychiatrist prescribed Depakote, Zyprexa, Luvox, and Clonazepam, the Clonazepam as needed. The OCD symptoms began to disappear as soon as I started the Luvox. The doctor thought the OCD was part of the Bipolar diagnosis and took me off Luvox, but when he did the OCD came back. He then prescribed the Luvox again and OCD went mostly away. The side effects have been minor, I can basically have one orgasm a day when I used to be able to pull a trifecta, but who cares?

Posted by: chris at August 2, 2006 8:33 PM

I have a question about the medicine luvox, my husband is going to start taking this medication, are there any risks involved in taking the medicine. Are the side affects bad while taking the medicine, what is to be expected from it?

Posted by: becky southwick at September 12, 2006 5:02 PM

I have been taking Luvox for about 6 months and I do feel different, but not as good as I want to. I was taking lexapro and felt terrific except I was always hungry, all I wanted to do was eat. Now with Luvox I am tired alot of the time, starting in the last 2-3 months to feel hungry and unmotivated to excercise, work or socialise, these things are very important to me so I am going to stop taking the Luvox tomorrow and see how I go, wish me luck!!!

Posted by: Lynne (Australia) at December 16, 2006 6:57 AM

Sexy Brunette Bitch In Bikini Giving Handjob

Posted by: handjob at December 19, 2006 1:53 PM

My dose (for luvox) has been increased just recently from the last time i came here. :(

Posted by: RENE at January 16, 2007 11:06 PM

I was on Luvox. Running out of it probably saved my life! It made me suicidal and very close to losing my job.

I started at a dose of 100 daily. When my anxiety and stress levels went up, doctor increased it to the max - 300 daily. I was skeptical that it would help but followed the advice given to me. I didn't get better at all! I had troublesome side effects such as uncontrollable muscle twitches, tremor, difficulty thinking, difficulty coming up with words, sleep attacks, hallucinations while falling asleep, and more!

When I suddenly ran out, I began to feel so much better! The side effects resolved within a few weeks. I am now very angry because the multiple doctors I saw all believed that my complaints were all depression and anxiety and would just increase or add yet another med. I was treated like I was crazy when, really, they were making me sick.

Posted by: Tracy at February 6, 2007 2:23 AM


No medicines are without side effects.
I use luvox most infrequently.. say maximm for
a month to get out of depression or else to enhance my mood for better quality life.

Rule of the thumb is do not be carried away by what others feel about the drug...but your experience is the parameter to know your threshold..

Anti depressants in milder quantities do not cause
withdrawal and you are not going to die by that
Moderation is the guide for me I never take more than 50mg per day...and I may even cut down that..

STOP THE MEDICINE IF YOU HAVE SUICIDAL OR HOMICIDAL THOUGHTS OR FEAR THEM

Best of Luck

Posted by: pkmr at February 12, 2007 5:55 AM

After about a week of taking luvox, I felt worse, much worse. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and banging my head against the wall because of how it made me feel. Felt like SUICIDE.

Bad drug for me, others claims it helps. Be advised it has bad effects for some people.

I recommend SJW

Posted by: Jim at February 24, 2007 7:08 AM

when i eat luvox,i feel my head rigidity and i also continue and now i stop already.But now my head feel rigidity very serious very day?!

Posted by: john yap at October 8, 2007 12:29 AM

ive taken luvox for 7 yrs on and of,for acute anxiety and panic disorder. Im slowly getting of it as i have gained 12 kg i have sweats nightmares eat more,headaches,itchiness,acne.The medication has not worked and im going to fight this with pscyotherapy and good living .Im tired of playing the meds game anyone feel the same.

Posted by: cbear at February 17, 2008 11:44 PM

I take luvox for depression and ocd. It helps the ocd but not much the luvox. Is there another drug I can take with this for the depression?

Posted by: wendy at September 8, 2008 10:24 PM

Great producted helped me when no others did.

Good: I live a normal life eventhough sometimes I feel bad or have OCD thougts they are a lot less than before.

I did had suicidal thoughts a long long time ago have been on Luvox for more than 10 years now but I don't think it had anything to do with the meds.

Bad: Tremors, feel like crap if you miss 2 doses start shaking and my eyes move and i get shivers that reminds me I didnt take the pill lol, the dreams omg i never had dreams like these before luvox crazy and cool but i don't sleep well. I think that's about it.

Posted by: Konrad at October 7, 2008 1:51 AM

i've been on luvox for 10 years for OCD and depression and have decided to taper off by myself in the new year.

in the time i've been on it, luvox has been a fabulous medicine with no side effects. however, today my life is good, and i'm wondering if i still need it.

my depression and use of the medicine is closely linked to my drug and alcohol abuse. i've been on luvox since i was 16. i used drugs and alcohol frequently until i was 25. in the last two years of my use, i would black out and lose motor coordination instantly while using drugs and/or alcohol. i'm attributing that to the luvox. since i stopped, my life has been infinitely better. (depression is linked to alcohol--who knew?)

i'm tapering off on my own. i'm nervous because luvox has been party of my identity and something i attributed my happiness to for a big part of my life. i'll keep you posted.

Posted by: s at January 3, 2009 10:50 PM

i have been taking luvox for about 3 years and i hate it. I have insomnia at nights and then i sleep for up to 8hrs or more during the day and if i don't i go through my day extremely tired. I also have memory lost and i sometimes get confused as to what day of the week it is and the date of the month as well.I desperately need advice as to what my first step should be to get off this terrible drug and i'm very fearful of the withdrawal symptoms that i hear is horrible.

Posted by: Shani at June 11, 2009 1:30 AM

I used cipramil for 5 year and then it stopped working. My doctor prescribed me luvox for past 2 months but it works 2 weeks than dont work 2 weeks etc,what mus do

Posted by: Shabir at February 14, 2010 10:09 AM

I was on Luvox for just one month and it was horrible. It's been a while so the memory is hazy, I just know that it made me feel 'wrong'. When I went off of it I went through about 3 days of hell. I felt like dying. The only thing that saved me was doing some research and finding out that it was the withdrawal that was my problem-not me. I have OCD and PTSD and it absolutely made me feel worse. It's been years, but I do have liver problems now. Not saying that Luvox is the cause because I can never know for sure.

I would recommend that anyone having problems with sexual dysfunction check out Trazodone in a low dosage. Yep.

Posted by: OCD at February 25, 2010 8:32 PM

Well I have been on Luvox for about 6 years now.. And everytime I try to wean off of them just 50 MG like the doctor said for 2 weeks and then another 50 mg then next 2 weeks (which I am on a 150 mg dose taken 1 1/2 pill at nighttime). Only makes me freak out... suicide... the whole walking and losing your balance and not being able to think clearly shows me you shouldn't mess with your mind. But the weirdest part of all is that when I move my head sometimes to look at something ( especially when driving) it takes my mind .5 sec to re-act and catch up to what my eyes are looking at... I've stop taking them cold turkey this time and will deal with all the consequences that go with it since it was my decision to do this to my brain. I hope that it will get out of my system in less than 5 weeks but doubt it.. I am feeling other symptoms as well which is really freaky.. this medication should only be given to the very very mentally unstable not for people that are going through a rough time in their life.. It's not worth it.. In time I know i won't be able to take the side effects and take my luvox again.. Why?? because they made it that way.. It does help others while it does more damage to those with normal brains going through a short depression.. I'd advise you not to take this medicine.. Anyways wish me luck ... I'll need it..

Posted by: Brian at May 30, 2010 5:38 PM

I was on Luvox for 3 years, and those were the best 3 years of my life, nothing held me back, I did well at work, physically, ok sexually I had to drop a tab on a Thursday to make love on Friday but big deal. Then a few months ago I thought hey I can come off this Luvox.......wamo! hit the wall...lost my job, lost my confidence, ocd back, major anxiety, major major depression......so I start today back on the Luvox, and will get back on track....I have tried other ssri's but this one works for me. Ok the sweating and delayed orgasim, but the pros far far outweigh the cons.

Posted by: rob at July 13, 2010 2:24 PM

Hi, I have been taking Luvox for 3 years now, only 50 g a night, not sure how to try & gradually come off them. Still suffer anxiety, but not like I use to & have no depression while on this medication. Scared everything will come back, I am a mother of two young boys & don't want to be a burden on my family. Is it okay to stay on this medication for a long time or should I try coming off them??? Katrina

Posted by: Katrina Oakden at October 15, 2010 4:55 AM

i take 35mg adderall a day,100mg luvox a day and 1-2g klonipin at night to calm me down from any mania so i can get to sleep. i take luvox for ocd and rituals that are taking over my life. add has almost taken a backseat.i have zero appetitie which is awesome! since i weigh 224 now cause of all the meds i was on last year. seroquel made me gain 40 lbs! anyone have anything to say about being on luvox for an extended time?

Posted by: holly cox at December 20, 2010 7:07 AM

I think Luvox works great for OCD and somewhat for depprssion. It took me at least 1 month however to get over the "side effects"
I would check the lock on the doors and windows over and over even when I just locked it and knew it. After about 60 days I found it helped me about 80%
Good luck.

Posted by: Steven at January 30, 2011 2:19 AM

I've been taking 150mg Luvox for ten years for depression. This drug has given me a life. It actually sugarcoats my feelings. I have tried to get off the drug but my feelings are raw and I become emotional. So back on I go. I enjoy my life and am able to deal with day-to-day living. I was sad and suicidal prior to taking Luvox. Luvox has saved my life and my marriage. I wish this drug had been around thirty years ago. I could have avoided pain and anguish for so many years. I have no side-affects from this drug although when I try to get off of it, I suffer from extreme withdrawal symptoms like nausea for weeks. I hate the withdrawal so much that I go back on and I feel soooooo much better. Anybody know how to go off Luvox safely and avoid withdrawal?

Posted by: Marie at February 3, 2011 3:00 PM

I have been on luvox for 6 years and found it helped but made me tired and no libido...i am now quitting cold turkey today is my 6th day and i feel like shit...dizzy,shaky,brain shakes, tired,sick so i am hoping that it will soon be out of my system, i am slow to react and feel like my body has gone into slow motion and feelm like if i eat anything ill throw up..i was takin 50 mg and although it did help with my depression and ocd, unfortuneatly ive moved to a place that dosent bulk bill and i cant afford to pay to see a doctor so ive gone cold turkey..to sum it all up and all the stuff ive read about luvox and the experience ive had i wouldnt recommend it. if anyone would like to talk to me about it email cosmic_karma73@y7mail.com

Posted by: Billie Manning at November 13, 2011 5:27 PM

I hav tried many ssri ..but fluvoxin work better for me..i m taking fluvoxin150 an indian brand ..when i started after 1month i felt awasom but after 2 mnth feel angry and insomnia..like to day sleep mood swings now i want to meet my psychiatrist....can i add any med for sleep

Posted by: David rockstar K . r Fzd at May 14, 2012 2:03 PM

What will happen if I take 20 Luvox 100mg

Posted by: Bruce at July 13, 2012 6:08 AM

Starting Luvox CR tonight, due to bad anxiety, and having very obssessive thoughts about that anxiety, life being bad, will I get worse, etc. Doc says it may help with depression also, but he's mainly prescribing it for anxiety and obssessive, negative thoughts. Damn, I hope this works. The last 3-4 weeks have been rough, and I can't continue like this.

Posted by: Steve-O at July 18, 2012 8:38 PM

I took Luvox for nearly a year. Overall, it was ineffective for depression. I felt mentally dull and tired while taking it. Also I had low libido and was essentially impotent. I regret staying on it as long as I did. FWIW: I react poorly to most SSRI's and have sworn off all of them.

Posted by: Alan at October 4, 2012 10:16 AM

First dx'd with:

Clinical Depression at age ~16 by pdoc1, along w/ family MD and two other pdocs on/off since then;

OCD at ~28 by pdoc2 (confirmed by pdoc3 at ~36); &
ADD-PI at 38 by therapist2 & pdoc3.


So basically my diagnosis is fairly good.

I have taken Luvox-generic probably a combined total of 60 months or more over the last 10 years. Probably some periods for over a solid year. The only reason I would stop is I thought I didn't need it anymore...lol...which I'd eventually get to a point I realized I was wrong.

The lowest dose I regularly took was 100 which was sub therapeutic, the avg 200mg, and the most 300 for a short experiment which was too much.

It has a very short half life, maybe 2 days, so you should be very strict about not missing or your steady state amount gets screwed.

About the only mild side effects I remember were some dry mouth and tiredness, but haven't felt that in years.

I think I'll take Luvox generic forever.

My 20mg Adderall ER is about my second most dramatic med now.

Been off SSRI's just since starting the Adderall but will prob be back on one or another at some point, especially for my seasonal affective disorder/depression, which starts around Sept.

Posted by: P Perry at February 25, 2014 1:54 PM

My dr. took me off luvox cold turkey After about 3 days I now feel very suicidal Can't think straight It was making me very tired I wanted to sleep all the time Shouldn't the dr. cut back slowly

Posted by: susn at March 16, 2014 11:20 AM

I've been on luvox for about a year and in general It has helped me a great deal, but if I miss two days or more of taking the medication, I get nauseous, week, tired and vomit alot. For that reason I want to quit, but I'm not sure if my depression will only get worse?

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