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Why Luvox Causes Nausea

Nausea is a long observed side effect with the use of antidepressants. Oddly, some are now being used to treat gastrointestinal problems. While it might seem counter intuitive, there is a very basic biological connection between the brain and the gut.

  1. Biological oddity

    • Inside the womb, both the brain and gut develop from the same clump of nerve tissue. One results in the central nervous system and the other in the gut "brain" or the enteric nervous system.

    The connection

    • The development of the vagus nerve eventually connects the two brains.

    Two brains

    • The gut "brain" is found in the tissue of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. This complex neural network acts, reacts and learns in the same way the actual brain does. This explains the concept of a "gut" feeling.

    Significance

    • When antidepressants like Luvox, that target the brain, are introduced into the human body, a predictable side effect is nausea in the gut brain, because the two are so closely related, biologically speaking.

    Warning

    • Nausea may be mild or intense with the use of luvox. Stay in close contact with your doctor. A dosage adjustment may be necessary.

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