Fluvoxamine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Kao...
• April 6, 2020

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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!"

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

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

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

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

• FSI...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Don't let the bad reviews fool you! I've tried about 10 different antidepressants. This one's the best. Yes, there is no 'perfect pill'. But this one's close to it. I finally have had a break with my obsessive thoughts. I definitely feel less anxious and depressed. This is the only SSRI to not make me feel numb. And the only effective antidepressant for me. It doesn't make me feel jittery either. When I first started this medication, I had issues with drowsiness, insomnia, and sexual side effects. But all of that went away in a month's time. I really hope this medication doesn't disappear! It's quite literally a lifesaver. So thankful to whoever made this drug."

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2009

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Like one of the previous reviewers mentioned, OCD is the underlying cause of many other conditions. I went through several doctors, medicines, and diagnoses before finally discovering my OCD and treating that, versus the other problems and symptoms caused by the OCD. Luvox has been a wonderful help for me. It has virtually eliminated all of my symptoms of OCD. Also, what I like the best about Luvox is that it has completely eliminated my racing and intrusive thoughts. Though people laugh, when asked, I tell people the best effect of Luvox is that it quiets the voices in my head, and I honestly feel like me again. The only drawbacks of Luvox that I have seen are: some trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, and excessive bruising."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2024

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have had OCD and generalized anxiety disorder ever since I was a kid. I always would ruminate over thoughts every single day, which was basically my life. I thought everyone thought like me. As I’ve gotten older, it has only gotten worse. I never have taken medicine and stayed away from it up until college when I had a horrible OCD episode that lasted 5 weeks straight with just an unwanted thought. I wasn’t able to sleep. I would get 2 hours of sleep, before at the most. I was having anxiety attacks and panic attacks, it was so bad I could barely stay awake. The thoughts consumed my life every minute, I never got a break. It was distressing, and I thought multiple times about suicide, like there was no way out of this mess. I decided to go on medicine, which my doctor recommended Luvox, and I was nervous at first, but could feel like I was able to push through it. After a week and every week and dosage that has gone by, it’s only gotten better. I am now on 250 mg and 2 months in :)"

• lis...
• July 3, 2013

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was prescribed Luvox for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder even though I don't think I have OCD. I think I have anxiety and panic disorder/depression. I have excessive worrying, panic attacks, sleeping problems, ruminations but no compulsions I can think of. However, my psychiatrist says I have OCD and put me on Luvox. Immediately, my sleep improved and my excessive worrying has been reduced by about 50%. I am so much more relaxed. However, I don't seem to really care about anything and it's hard to get out of bed and do much even on a low dose (25mg). I feel like I am in slow motion and I'm always tired. My body also feels like I have weights attached to it. I see a new psychiatrist in two weeks."

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2014

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I finally got the courage to talk to my GP about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and all the other issues it was creating. I was first OCD when 14 (Now 33). I was given some samples of Aropax back then and it seemed to eliminate the symptoms immediately, but over time and no planning for continued dosage, my condition worsened and led me to Luvox. I was really down and out. The Luvox initially made me very tired, diminished Sex Drive, and loss of appetite. The enhanced depression was getting to me. The initial 50mg dose was increased (I'm 6'5 115kgs) to 100mg. After 4-5 weeks, this started getting better. The sleepiness became the opposite (hard to sleep). Take them at the same time every day and keep a journal of your improvement."

• OKC...
• July 8, 2010

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have used Luvox for over a year now. Before I was taking Effexor, and it made me angry, so I had to switch. I started at 100mg then gradually went to 200mg. At 200mg, I found the most relief for my OCD, but I didn't want to do anything. I had no motivation to clean my house, do the laundry, or even take a shower. I just didn't care. As a mother of 4, that was a huge problem. I gradually decreased my dosage back down to 100mg and have motivation back. I still have the rituals and things that completely drive me up the wall and did have those still at 200mg. I'm thinking about trying a new medication because this one works for a bit but doesn't give me the relief I need. I have to take Klonopin to calm my brain down at night so I can sleep."

• npo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 18, 2018

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Works very quickly for OCD. Was on Luvox for almost fifteen years. Went off it for four years. OCD symptoms returned, so I went back on my previous dose and got chronic insomnia. The severe OCD thoughts went away within days, though, so I continued use. I lowered the dose, and the insomnia dissipated after about 3 weeks. Have been back on it about six weeks and feeling much better. Am currently on 100mg."

• Anx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2018

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This was a fantastic drug for my OCD. Been taking it for over a year. I had tried SSRIs (Lexapro, Cymbalta), and they weren’t very effective. I worked my way up to 200 mg of Luvox at one point (very high - had bad side effects) and slowly tapered it down to 100 mg, and I still get just as good results. The only thing I have to complain about this med is the side effects - they’re quite intense! I had bad insomnia the first 2-3 weeks, the nausea persisted the entire time I’ve been on it, appetite and libido diminish completely. However, my obsessive thoughts are far less irritating and intrusive. If they appear, they don’t bother me nearly as much, and I can function so much better. This was a godsend for an uptight, OCD person like myself, though I wish there were fewer side effects."

• Sue...
• April 15, 2012

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "I tend to go on and off it when I am well. I hate the sexual side effects, but it works almost immediately for me. I get headaches and trouble sleeping, but when it works, I feel so normal, it is priceless and worth the grief."

• Lud...
• September 30, 2015

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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 have 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! :)"

• Anonymous
• July 30, 2008

Fluvoxamine for Depression "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."

• jbl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2013

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "My psychiatrist prescribed me Luvox 100 mg that I've been on for close to 2 months to help me deal with symptoms of stress and social anxiety. I would say the medication works, but the side effects aren't worth me continuing it, so I'm going to see about something else that is proven to have fewer side effects. Some of the side effects I was experiencing were difficulty staying asleep and waking up with night sweats, dry mouth, and sore throat. I think Zoloft worked better for me."

• din...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2018

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "After many years of depression and anxiety, and many different meds, my psych started me on Luvox. Right away, I had trouble sleeping; I was awake by 2:30 a.m. and then restless the rest of the night. Still, I woke up full of energy and feeling good and was very productive. After a few days, I noticed this energy turned to severe anxiety. I was also, from the start, feeling chilled, almost like I was getting sick. Body aches became more prevalent and feeling totally run down. The last 2 days, chest pain on and off... not sure if anxiety or something worse. It's sad; what started off as promising soon turned out to be another reject."

• pin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This drug I would HIGHLY recommend if you are struggling with OCD/anxiety/intrusive thoughts. I have been put on many other SSRIs for my OCD, and none worked till my doc prescribed me fluvoxamine. It works specifically for OCD, so it's effective in most people. It has saved my life. Now I can get out of the house and not be plagued by my intrusive thoughts. The only downside for me is decreased libido, weight loss (not having an appetite most of the day), and sleep problems (the sleep problems stopped in a week or so). But hey, I would rather have those side effects than OCD. I think this drug is good to get your mind back on track from OCD. Not sure if there's a time in the future when it would stop working or not, but so far it's been amazing."

• azr...
• June 26, 2017

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "I took Luvox after coming off sertraline for bad side effects. My main problems are insomnia, and I can't sleep at night after I had my baby 6 months ago. I started first on 25 mg for about 3 days, and after that, 50 mg for the next 2 weeks. I can feel the difference in my anxiety, but sleep and mood have not improved. My pdoc increased my dose to 75 mg, but it seems to make me even worse. Then, after 2 weeks, my pdoc increased the dose to 100 mg. I can feel the difference, but not in a good way. My moods are still low, and I just don't want to do anything. My sleep also has not improved. I'm struggling every day. I developed new intrusive thoughts too. I can't hold it anymore because this AD does make me worse than before. Bad AD!!"

• Coq...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2012

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medicine has completely changed my life. I had been on Wellbutrin for 4 years yet still had the obsessive, racing thoughts that were so disabling I could barely be present for any given moment. Now I'm taking 50 mg fluvoxamine in the morning and 50 mg early afternoon with 150 mg Wellbutrin in the morning. For the first time ever, I am experiencing what I think life is supposed to be, and what life feels like for a healthy person. The side effects were extremely difficult the first month (bouts of lethargy, insomnia, incessant sugar and carb cravings, sexual side effects), but my body has adapted very well and the side effects are dissipating finally. My suggestion is to give this medicine at least 10 weeks and regular intense exercise to boost serotonin naturally."

• Lal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I give it 3 stars all because it really has helped my obsessive thoughts. I can't watch TV without my mind wandering, and it almost makes me feel kind of normal in that aspect. I sit most days without ever being able to turn the TV on. I've only been taking it for two weeks. Temple pain, stomach pain, dry mouth, insomnia, I started biting my nails again, which I haven't done in years, so my anxiety has definitely increased badly, hungry like crazy more at night. The side effects are really, really bad. I haven't quit taking it just yet, but I have almost fallen over a few times today, and if that keeps up, I will definitely stop taking it. I don't know if it's causing confusion or if it's being so sleep-deprived, or is it on the verge of causing me those awful anxiety attacks that end up making me faint. I don't know. Anyone else experience that particular side effect with it?"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Long story short, it works. I knew I had anxiety, but it never hindered me. It started to go into panic attacks. Then one day, I had these images and thoughts that were totally unwanted. OCD with compulsive thoughts. Then I went into a depression really bad. It took about two weeks to see a difference, and I had a panic attack, so my medication got increased to 150 mg. I don’t have panic attacks anymore when I’m driving or just in general. Thoughts sometimes, but I don’t focus on it or scold myself about it. I just let it pass, and that’s it. The side effects for me were insomnia, which is why I take it in the morning, and some sexual dysfunction. I can live with that. I’m back on track with life now. I really recommend this drug to try out first. Just give it time, and if you also need to see a psychologist, it helps as well."

• hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on fluvoxamine maleate 25 mg, and it did help my social anxiety, making me more sociable, friendly, and bold. But it seems that it has overworked in the social realm. I am sometimes mean or say things impulsively that I then regret. It has also caused more anger issues and regrettable reactions to bad situations. I think I will be weaned off this medicine soon. Too many weird side effects. Very unusual dreams, insomnia, mood swings, anger, and bursts of rage, etc. Stick to psychological therapy, folks. This drug can turn you mean. Have to be able to control your anger on it, which is not always easy."

• TOL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "After the first night on fluvoxamine, I woke up the next day with cotton mouth. The next day, I was urinating every thirty minutes without anything that would quench my thirst. The third day, I felt like I was getting physically sick. The fourth pill night, I had insomnia and was up about four hours after my usual bedtime. My mind was racing, and I was exhausted all the way through half the next day. When I did fall asleep, I woke up twice with incredible paranoia. I felt like I was on some kind of stimulant and an odd feeling I’ve never felt mentally. Totally did NOT like it. Stopped taking it after the fourth pill. I’m BP 2, GAD, panic disorder, OCD."

• Hey...
• January 7, 2016

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I've been on Luvox for 6 months now at 200 mg/day. I switched from Prozac because of libido problems, but it actually didn't make any difference. I completely lost interest in sex and gained weight really fast. My OCD is controlled, but I feel depressed, sleeping a lot during the day and nothing during the night. Haha, it's horrible... Also, I compulsively scratch my head until it bleeds (trichotillomania?) and Prozac had helped me stop it. Now on Luvox, the problem is back. I'm switching back to Prozac or giving a try to Zoloft."