What are the Side Effects of Fluvoxamine?

Fluvoxamine is a prescription medication used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. Despite its effectiveness, fluvoxamine poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Significance

• According to clinical studies published by the Food and Drug Administration on RxList.com, approximately 22 percent of study participants discontinued use of fluvoxamine due to its side effects.

Types of Common Side Effects

• Common side effects of fluvoxamine include headaches, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, drowsiness, insomnia, dry mouth, nervousness and dizziness.

Risks

• Some patients develop potentially life-threatening skin reactions due to fluvoxamine, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necroylsis. Other risks of fluvoxamine include inflammation of the liver or pancreas, severe arrhythmias, kidney failure, allergic reactions, seizures and symptoms that mimic Parkinson's disease, like muscle rigidity and tremors.

Warning

• Fluvoxamine is known to cause suicidal thoughts or self-harmful behavior in some patients. If you experience aggression, anxiety, panic attacks, impulsiveness or hostility while taking fluvoxamine, seek prompt medical attention, as these are early indicators of such effects.

Considerations

• Infrequently, patients experience symptoms of withdrawal when use of fluvoxamine ceases suddenly. For this reason, your doctor is likely to gradually taper your usage of the drug when it approaches time for you to stop using fluvoxamine.