Fluvoxamine for Depression User Reviews

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2019

"This medicine fluvoxamine has its pros and cons. I have spent 3 years on this medication. Started on 25 mg and slowly increased to 200 mg. I felt like I had lost all emotion on this dose. I couldn’t feel anything. I stood at my grandmother's funeral and didn’t even shed a single tear. I just couldn’t feel anything. I decreased my dose to 100 mg, and it has completely stopped all suicidal thoughts and anxiety and mostly all of my depression, but I cannot do my job consistently due to feeling extremely tired, weak, and lethargic. I cannot focus nor concentrate, and I find it hard to stay consistent and interested in hobbies. I have an “I don’t care” attitude a lot of the time when it comes to my job especially and hobbies. I find it hard to function this way. I feel like I have trouble remembering anything, and my brain is not working as well as it used to. I could sleep 23 hours a day. I feel unmotivated and disinterested in a lot of things. Neither situation is ideal."

• Par...
• September 19, 2011

"I lost all negative thoughts. Sleep very well (prior to medicine, sleeping all night was a problem). I now find humor in everything. Things look better. Enjoy music and TV so much more. This change for the better occurred within one or two days of taking this medicine."

• wez...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2020

"I got prescribed 15 or 20 mg fluvoxamine when I was 12 or 13 for my depression, which I got from being bullied every day at school. This got increased to 50 mg in the morning and 100 at night for a year and a half, and I took it for 4 years with no side effect that I can think of, and now I'm off it because I'm not depressed anymore :) yay."

• Hon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2020

"I suffered major depressive disorder. I was suicidal. I went through ECT treatments, which would help, but it was the fluvoxamine that worked on my depression and brought my life back. I'm up to 300 mg of this medication. To me, it is a miracle drug."

• Anonymous
• July 30, 2008

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I've had great luck with this medicine and very few side effects. The main side effect I have experienced is trouble sleeping and feeling 'revved' at night. My doctor recommended that I take the pill in the morning instead of at night."

• t j...
• April 5, 2013

"I have been taking fluvoxamine since 1995. For me, it is a miracle. I had two major bouts of depression 12 years apart, took every medicine my doctor could find. This medicine was the only one to help me be fine ever since."

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2018

"I have treatment-resistant depression, and over the years, I have been on a roller coaster of 14 different medications. When I was finally put on fluvoxamine after taking a metabolic gene test, it was the first medication that actually worked for me. When I say it “works,” I mean it keeps me stable enough mentally to hold a full-time job. I still struggle daily, but this medication has really leveled my mind and at least keeps me stable enough to function most days. This is a huge change from me not having a job and never leaving my bed. I’m not where I want to be mentally by any means, but this medication truly changed my life. I have been taking it for 2 1/2 years now at different doses, but I am currently at 100 mg/day. I will say that if I stopped abruptly, the withdrawal for me is TERRIBLE and starts happening within 48 hours of my last dose. Other than that, it’s been a miracle in helping me get back on my feet."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2020

"They say fluvoxamine is quite a sedating SSRI, and I would concur. Even though it was co-prescribed with Wellbutrin for depression, I was falling asleep in the afternoons while on this. The break-in wasn't nice either - very dry mouth and a lot of nausea. It lifted my severe suicidal depression, but didn't improve my optimism or motivation. I just felt nothing. I didn't care about anything at all and basically stopped trying. Generally don't recommend and prefer Prozac, which is more stimulating."

• SEB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2018

"I was on an antidepressant and an antipsychotic for bipolar depression. I developed serotonin syndrome and tardive dyskinesia and sunk deeply into depression. I went back on a low, low dose of Abilify and Luvox, and within 3 days was feeling nearly myself again. After 4 days, I doubled the Luvox, as I had read, and am doing very well. I do recommend it for internal suffering, which is the worst thing to go through. Good luck to you all."

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2019

"I have been suffering from major depressive disorder and other mental health problems for about 7 years. I was constantly self-harming, getting admitted to mental health units, had to see a therapist twice a week. I have been through all other SSRIs, my doctor introduced fluvoxamine to me and said it was primarily used for OCD, which I am not diagnosed with, but I do struggle with overwhelming intrusive thoughts. After being on it for about a month, I finally started feeling better. I was able to make it a full year without cutting myself. I attended classes full-time after missing two years because of depression. This medication has put me in a space where therapy actually helps, and I can listen to and practice what my team wants me to try. I haven’t been to the hospital in months and am looking forward to the future. The downside is it makes me extremely tired and makes me nauseous, but it’s worth it."

• Lai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2015

"I have been taking 100 mg of this medicine nightly before bed for nearly a year now. I had an awful case of anxiety-based depression that ruined me my senior year of high school and left me in the throes of a personal breakdown. I went to my doctor, and she submitted me to this experimental medicine screen after a previous attempt of Cymbalta left me nowhere. When I started taking these pills, it was like a miracle had happened to me. My anxiety virtually disappeared. It was the biggest relief I had experienced in my life. I no longer had issues talking to people, and I began to excel in my work once again. Only complaints are extreme withdrawal symptoms, and it is much less effective for me while I am on my period."

• Rhi...
• June 13, 2019

"I started fluvoxamine after a 30-day hospital stay. They changed many of my meds. My mood stabilized with Rexulti, Viibryd, and Seroquel, BUT the Seroquel made me ravenous, and I gained 15 lbs in one month. I’m already obese, high BP, high CHL, and diabetic. When all was said and done, I went back to my psychiatric nurse practitioner, and she modified my medications immediately. When I got out of the program, I was still feeling awful. I saw my NP, and she is willing to try anything. She hates to see me suffer. She immediately took me off the 2 mood stabilizers, and hunger drastically decreased. She kept me on 40 mg of Viibryd, 70 mg of Vyvanse, 100 mg of lamotrigine (2x/day), and 50 mg of Topiramate. She then added Ambien for sleep along with the Luvox 100 mg and Xanax as needed. My primary physician got me on meds for my cholesterol, high BP, and high sugar. Since January, my numbers have all shifted in the right direction, and I feel human again!"

• Vla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2018

"I am a 36-year-old guy in decent enough physical health, and I have been taking fluvoxamine for 7 months. Important to mention that this has been along with seeing a therapist weekly. To get the negatives out first, the fluvoxamine (Luvox) creates a yucky salty taste in my mouth, I get drunk quicker than usual when I drink (which, and I’m not proud of, I do often), and my sex drive is decreased, though not evaporated. For the positives: before starting on Luvox, I was having compulsive, looping, negative thoughts about myself, which in retrospect were dangerous. These went away almost immediately. I have had only one episode since. A sense of fear, both about specific and non-specific things, has gradually decreased as well. It has taken the full 7 months for this to happen. My days are now less hellish and often pleasant. Again — this has been a slow process."

• Tir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2020

"Started fluvoxamine not too long ago. It really messed me up, and I had to stop taking it after only 2 doses. Constant thoughts racing, my heart was beating out of my chest, I breathed out of my mouth, I couldn't sleep, and sometimes I'd start crying because I was so frustrated with the lack of sleep. Sometimes I'd lose myself, staring off into space and blink once every 30 seconds like a zombie... Stomach pains and headaches followed as well. Everyone's different, but for me, it was awful."

• Hea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2018

"I have depression and anxiety (or at least feeling stressed and overwhelmed about nothing), and fluvoxamine does an amazing job at stabilizing my moods and helping me be happy and productive. Side effects: The only side effect I've had in normal use has been decreased sexual interest and pleasure, but I found a supplement containing maca and other herbal aphrodisiacs that effectively remedies the problem for me. Note: The reason I started fluvoxamine was for help in managing trichotillomania. Fluvoxamine actually didn't help with that for me, but I stuck with it because of the huge difference it made on my moods."

• Cos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

"I have been on 50 mg fluvoxamine for 8 weeks for depression and anxiety. Since taking it, I want to be by myself, and I have been getting more tired, and no energy to do anything. I avoid shopping. I used to walk most days before I started taking it, but it is too much effort, and I get breathless. The depression has not gotten any better. I sleep 4 hours at night, but to be fair, that has been my average even before I took the tablets. If I had to summarize, the worst effect would be tired all the time, and I have become antisocial. The good effects are slightly less anxious."

• Ath...
• February 20, 2016

"This medicine helped somewhat, however, the side effects have become intolerable. I'm itching my head, ears, and neck constantly from an itch that never stops. I'm agitated and anxious and have weird tingling, prickly sensations. Think I'll go back on Prozac, though Prozac left me confused and disoriented. Have been through the slew of SSRIs and wish scientists would come up with another category of drugs soon."

• TCC...
• February 25, 2009

Luvox CR (fluvoxamine) "This medication did help improve my mood slightly, but had interactions with other prescription medications I was taking at the same time. It is very important to inform your doctor about what medicines you are taking, and it is also VERY IMPORTANT TO ASK if there are any contraindications with these medications. This should not be a problem if you have a good relationship with your doctor."

• Ed ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 24, 2017

"I started on fluvoxamine 5 years ago. Then when fluvoxamine 100 mg extended release came out, I switched to it. I've been experiencing sporadic low-grade fevers, intestinal cramping, diarrhea, and red eyes. I've been through years of testing and finally came up with an answer: fluvoxamine. This medication interacts with many other medications and can cause serious and fatal side effects. This medication is extremely hard to wean off of. It helped my depression initially, but now has caused me more depression."

• Sup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2014

"I think Luvox is a good medicine. I also take Abilify. Luvox took a long time to work. My two cents are to keep yourself busy and active because no medication will treat everything. I am only giving this medicine a 7 out of 10 because it makes me kind of tired. The reason why I take Abilify too is because I have irritability associated with depression."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2021

"I was interested in Fluvoxamine because unlike the other SSRI it reportedly did not cause delayed ejaculation. This turned out to be true. However, the tiredness that came with this drug was far worse than on the other SSRIs, and I couldn't continue because of that."

• Mu-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2019

"I have both anxiety and depression and maladaptive daydreaming which can sometimes induce the anxiety and depression. I work 2 jobs, so I really needed an SSRI. My body metabolizes this a lot better (I have fewer side effects, but it's also not as effective). It works BEAUTIFULLY on my anxiety, but not so much for depression. As for my depression, depending on the day, it'll go in waves, and most of the depression is at work. If I'm depressed enough, I will still maladaptive daydream. I would not suggest this med if you have 2 jobs or are a very busy person who can't get enough sleep due to schedule. If you have time to sleep longer, it should be more effective. Naps help me most of the time. Although, depending on your body it could make you more awake or very sleepy. With my body, it seems to make me more awake. I don't get the most restful sleep on this med, so if you have a lot of my symptoms I might not recommend it."

• moa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 7, 2018

"No side effects and worked really well for 2 years at 200mg, before I had another episode which ended me up having my first psychiatric hospitalisation. The ward doctors took me off it in 3 weeks and I experienced the worst sickness I've ever had in my life, constantly sick and 'brain zaps' were irritating."

• fri...
• March 3, 2018

"it's been week up until now since I'm on fluvoxamine (fevarin). I already have tried it twice a few years ago, but side effects was too overwhelming to continuing. I had flu- like symptoms. Lately I was extremely depressed and had recurrent, negative thoughts, including suicidal ideas. Some day I impulsively came up with idea to give the fevarin one more try. I stopped using drugs, along with cigarettes. My thoughts are harrassing me significantly less during the day and during the night when I wake up at 4 a.m (side effect) they are more friendly. Initially I felt a little weak but I feel that it's passing, and even makes me slightly agitated, so proportionally the depression decreasing. The nausea is also present, however to the extent that I can eat normally. Unlike others I noticed huge improvement in sex drive, but struggle with ejaculation. My anxiety also mildly declines."

• LAC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 6, 2023

"I've been on at least two dozen antidepressants with various doseage combos for ~11 years straight before being switched to this dose and titrated up to 150mg. Works perfectly. After such a long journey, I finally found an antidepressant that works completely. The PROBLEM IS... you CANNOT miss even ONE DAY of this medicine or else you have to start at the bottom and work up due to the insanely bad side effects of withdrawal from just one day: headaches, migraines, insomnia, etc. So if I miss ONE day, I have to go way down to 25mg a night and VERY SLOWLY raise myself over a couple weeks' time back to 150. It's a VERY picky drug but if you don't miss a dose, it'll work wonders for you!"