Luvox for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews

• Jef...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 26, 2019

"I have now been on 65-75 mg of Luvox for about 3 years for Obsessive Thoughts Disorder, which I had suffered from intensely since childhood. I was put on everything under the sun, mostly being treated with less specific, but more well-known medicines (mostly focusing on depression, anxiety - though it was always known to be OCD). This drug has changed my life. I went from constant ruminating to absolutely no worrying signs of OCD. I at first felt severe side effects of fatigue, tingly body, anxiety, and needing total silence. It was a weird 2 weeks. But as soon as that passed, it has been the miracle I prayed for. I hope it can do the same for you."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2020

"Medical student experiencing OCD since 9 years old. Luvox is life-changing for OCD. Begin with this for OCD. Should it not work, don't despair, everyone is different. You will find your solution eventually. For OCD, Luvox is the place to start. Life-changing. OCD dropped from 13 hours a day to 5 minutes. Life-changing."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2015

"Absolutely amazing! I was in a terrible spot with my harm OCD... And then this miracle of a drug came along! It's almost like it's a physical volume knob that turns your thoughts down... To the point where they are still there, but so quiet they're insignificant. The ONLY reason I gave it a 9/10 is because it took a while to work... But that's different for everyone. If you're reading this and are wondering if it's going to even work... I have been on it for a solid 8 weeks, and I'm JUST now starting to feel the effects. I literally have trouble falling asleep now, only because I'm excited about tomorrow! :)"

• Kao...
• April 6, 2020

"Luvox changed my life. It took away the guilt I have felt my entire life. Remember, it is important to go to therapy prior to starting medications. I specifically went to exposure and response prevention therapy for 8 months prior to starting this drug. This medication is a miracle for those experiencing severe OCD and more specifically, intrusive thoughts. What this drug does is lessen the amount of intrusive thoughts you have and allows you to have a normal reaction to the thoughts. Please note that it does not take the thoughts away completely, it is not meant to. This drug also worked very quickly. I personally find it important to gradually increase the dose every few weeks to a month. I have had no side effects, except for some difficulty falling asleep. I am so grateful I found this, highly recommend!"

• anx...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2018

"It's a miracle, is what it is. This med allows me to function. Tried so many things, and this is the only med to help with OCD. Took away a bunch of compulsions and anxiety associated with them. I find it easier to push away thoughts. Side effects - night sweats, sexual dysfunction, tiredness. Doesn't work on depression, it seems though it's an SSRI. Still, with these side effects, it's a miracle drug. Saved me. Been on 300mg for years. I should say going on it is hell, constant anxiety and panic, and then one day it just drops, and you feel better. It gets worse before it gets better. If you take this and feel terribly anxious, it's working. Push through."

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2015

"After 10 years of struggling with heightening anxiety, I came very close to breaking point, and checked myself into a wonderful private psych hospital - which at the time, I found absolutely terrifying. Little did I know, my timing was perfect, as I met my new doctor (an angel/psychiatrist) who made an OCD diagnosis straight away. With him, I started on 100mg of Luvox, which had a positive effect within 2 days. We increased my dose to 200mg per night, which has continued to work superbly ever since (and it's been 1.5 years). I can't speak highly enough of Luvox, which is the one and only medication I've tried. The biggest thing I've learnt about OCD, is that the 'cure' (aka, return to the healthy pool) = medication + psychology + lifestyle!"

• And...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 27, 2016

"This drug literally saved my life. When I was first diagnosed with OCD, I took other meds for it with often very bad side effects. FINALLY, I was put on Luvox. I have been taking it for over 18 years now. Like I said before, it saved my life."

• Pro...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2015

"Saved my life, plain and simple. Taking the drug for 18 years now, fluctuating between 100 and 400 mg over the years. The thoughts consumed my every waking moment, smothering me, making it impossible to live. In the times I've gone off the drug over the years, my symptoms resurfaced, only to be reined in by Luvox. Yes, there are side effects, but they are nothing that can't be tolerated when the alternative is death."

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2023

"I am blown away. I was really hesitant to go on medication as I had horrible experiences in the past. My OCD was so bad I wouldn't even shower or do my work. I was failing at my career and overly stressing about house chores to a point of physical impairment. My psychiatrist put me on 50mg of Luvox for OCD, anxiety, and depression. I am 3 weeks in and I finally did my skincare for the first time in 1 year. I also got excited about my work today and jammed out on the piano for an hour and my voice never sounded better. I am really happy I trusted her."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2019

"12 weeks & a dosage of 150 mg on Luvox and my OCD is close to extinguished. After 8 years, my OCD relapsed. July through November 2018, I was ruminating 12-15 hours a day. I was scared to wake up and face the constant chatter and confusion in my head. Today I feel free from that mental anguish. I was lucky to experience only a short period of insomnia when starting, unlike the unbearable lengthy list of side effects that I experienced on Zoloft. I accredit this to a slow and steady increase in dosage. I didn't notice any difference until week 8 (and the right dosage) so don't be discouraged if the '4-6 weeks' suggestion doesn't match up with your recovery. I've seen many say that it can take a possible 12 weeks! I'm also going to begin CBT to control my anxious tendencies and learn skills for a possible OCD return, but I will say that this medication has done wonders for me."

• ind...
• March 17, 2014

"So far, this is the best medication I've been on for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I have obsessive thoughts and rumination as my compulsion, and it was totally debilitating before. I was on mirtazapine for a while but felt emotionless and still had a lot of OCD 'crashes'. Switched to Fluvox because mirtazapine made me gain a lot of weight. Finally losing weight now and have a normal appetite again! It obliterates obsessive thoughts and makes me feel really happy, plus, I have all my strong emotions back, feeling more 'me' again. Frustrating side effect in insomnia (most nights I wake up 2-3 times for 30 mins at least and sleep very restlessly) but the headaches and nausea have both passed, so hopefully this will also pass."

• TLB...
• May 25, 2017

"I was first put on this med in 1995 to deal with my OCD, which manifests itself in compulsive negative thoughts and an inability to overcome negativity, as well as occasional wishing I would die, and suicidal thoughts (never acted upon). Due to frequent professionally-caused moves around the world, periodically Luvox was unavailable to me, so I was placed on alternatives such as Zoloft and others, all of which had heavy side effects. The best thing for me about Luvox was my ability to cope, no sexual side effects, and also the ability to still feel, all of which other drugs (especially Zoloft) prevented, leaving me feeling like a zombie. Luvox let me be me without my OCD and generally with it, I am a happier, more positive, and creative person."

• Lnd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2019

"It's only been 2 weeks on Luvox (have OCD) but I'm definitely noticing a difference today. I started 12.5mg for two days, 25mg for 5 days, 37.5 mg for 4 days, and now 50mg. Our goal is to be at 100mg within the next 3 weeks with these intervals. I feel overall so much better in an unexplainable way. My stress isn't as overbearing as before, my anxiety is still present but not near what it was. Can't wait to see where this medicine takes me in the coming weeks."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2014

"Wow, finally a conversation with my son that is NOT about fishing. My 17-year-old son was dropped on his head when he was born by a nurse. He has seen the same neurologist since he was a baby. We've tried everything - cocktails of medicines, seizure meds, etc. Nothing helped. It got so bad that I was placed on medication for my nerves. His neurologist suggested we try Luvox. I am sitting next to my son, who is playing a game. He is calm yet very alert, not dragging like other meds did to him. He is able to hold conversations about so many topics, and that is a relief even to him."

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

"I have horrible side effects on Luvox. Some of which I had to willfully snap out of. Side effects for me are: Sweating. Aggression. Impulsiveness. Nausea. Memory issues. Bipolar disorder? Doctors suggested that I could try tapering the dose and as I did, side effects became worse. I missed a dose and went into extreme withdrawal. Side effects gave me a nervous breakdown. I bawled and cried for help. Got confused. Arms tingled bad, hyperventilated. Felt I needed a cool bath to calm down. But forgot to make it cool. Made sure I wore swim trunks in case I had a heart attack and was found. Some scientific studies found that Luvox can cause aggression, impulsiveness, and other side effects. This information appears to be quashed. Some doctors believe the FDA. It may work for you? Find something else if Luvox is not for you. Do not blame yourself for the side effects of drugs or for the mental illness you suffer from. You are not your disease."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2022

"I had to go off of a medication that was treating my OCD, and my OCD relapsed worse than it had ever been. I did not sleep, period. I spent 24 hours a day obsessing. Throughout the night, I paced around and around, obsessively worrying with my mind going in circles. I ended up in the ER. I stopped eating. I stopped going to work. I lost all joy in anything. I’ve had OCD my entire life, along with GAD and social phobia. I asked my doctor about it, and she said I would have to go off of my Zoloft in order to go on it. I was scared, as I had been on Zoloft for 20 years. I weaned off the Zoloft and on to the Luvox at the same time. I felt a difference in 2 days. I could feel it blocking the thoughts. Then I couldn’t feel a difference for a while. Four weeks later, my OCD was gone. The part I wasn’t expecting happened months later. Social phobia was gone. My anxiety has been treated and helped, but never the social part. My confidence is through the roof. I never knew I could feel this way."

• Dan...
• July 7, 2016

"I started taking this drug over 15 years ago whenever I had unwanted mind chatter going on. It wasn't like I heard voices in my head like crazy people, just my thoughts going crazy almost allowed to keep me awake. If someone said hey, I like that color blue on you, I would think it's because I look fat in other colors, really bad, another color, and then I would start obsessing about that. It really was a prison that I was in and obsessing on things that were small and absolutely had nothing to do with my life. Luvox 100% almost as if it took away every single one of those problems that I had and no longer have any sort of mind chatter or even think much about if someone gives me a compliment other than hey, thanks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2013

"I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder last year and tried Anafranil first but couldn't handle the side effects. My doctor started me on Luvox a little over a month ago, and I finally feel like I'm getting my life together. I see my counselor every 2 weeks now instead of once a week, and my obsessive thoughts are finally under control. I can enjoy books again, and I've been feeling a lot more social. At first, I had trouble sleeping; I was waking up every night around 4 AM, but that has almost stopped completely now. I was worried about weight gain, but I've actually lost weight due to my diminished appetite since starting the medication."

• OCD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2019

"Loved this drug Luvox for my OCD. Bathed my brain in Serotonin. And while that was a good solution, it also posed a problem. It took anxiety/OCD away better than most SSRIs I have tried. However, it made me incredibly tired. You could literally sleep for 22 hours out of the day if you could afford to do so. But, my experience will not be yours, so don't rule it out as a possible treatment for your OCD."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2009

"This medicine saved my life. Racing thoughts almost non-existent. When they recur during times of stress, doctor ups dosage and immediately my mind quiets. OCD is the underlying cause of many compensatory disorders, including depression, alcoholism, and eating disorders. With the OCD controlled, I have been able to take charge over the others."

• PJK...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 8, 2017

"I am a life-long sufferer of OCD - started when I was 7-8 years old when OCD wasn't even a common word or diagnosis - am now 52. I tried many drugs in the 1990s - most had awful side effects. I found Luvox in 1994 (from a knowledgeable MD) and it helped. I managed to live a productive life. I stopped taking it 5 years ago - thinking I could use my life skills to cope with OCD and anxiety, but learned behavioral and coping skills can only work to a certain extent in a person whose brain chemistry and/or neurons are not functioning correctly. My doctor recommended I get back on it, so I am starting it up again. For what it's worth: therapy can greatly help an OCD victim - and IMO the best therapists are the ones that have or had OCD themselves."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 6, 2012

"Luvox is an amazing medication for me. I couldn't think my own thoughts, all I had were racing, intrusive, and obsessive thoughts. My compulsions were out of control too due to inability to control my thoughts. I was off the med for 3 years and was in a bad way, constant suicidal ideations. I felt like myself again after the first dose. I can control unwanted thoughts and think of things I want or need to and can solve issues. I can usually control my compulsions now. I couldn't socialize either and now I can. 100 mg at night with 15 mg of Buspar. I am so grateful for this medication!"

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2020

"29-year-old female with Harm OCD. I started taking Celexa when I was 16 years old for around six years and then switched to Lexapro. Celexa and Lexapro both worked for me, with Lexapro being the champion of the two. Eventually, the Lexapro did not work anymore. I experienced panic attacks, aggressive violent thoughts, and high anxiety. I recently switched to Luvox, but not without initial hesitation. I tried many different medications that led up to Lexapro, with many that didn't work. I am glad that I gave Luvox a try! It was slow weaning down from 20 mg of Lexapro while increasing up to 100 mg Luvox. Now the obsessive and compulsive thoughts are more fleeting and less sticky, they do not bother me as much anymore. I do not have the anxiety that I once had. One drawback that I experience after taking Luvox for a couple of months is tiredness. I am very tired throughout the day, sleep more than usual, and take plenty of naps. Overall, this medication works for me, and I hope that it will for you too."

• zyd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 7, 2013

"I have been on Luvox for just over a year. I have realized that if I miss a dose or two, which I have done at times, my symptoms return (racing thoughts, self-harm...awful). It usually takes a week or so to get back on track with taking my medicine on a regular basis again. I love the medicine, but I have noticed I cannot miss a dose or else my steady state will get messed up and it takes time to get back to normal."

• MJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2020

"My son takes Luvox in a small dose to lessen OCD, but if we increase his dose, it makes his OCD worse. I do want to share that he had a sudden onset of OCD overnight! Turns out it is from Lyme disease and Bartonella co-infection, which causes PANS - Post-immune Neurological Syndrome! Strep, Lyme, and other bacteria can cause this. If OCD medicine doesn't really work, check with your doctor and ask about PANS, Lyme, or PANDAS from Strep..."