Fluvoxamine Maleate Medication Guide

Conditions This Medication May Treat

Based on Bridgeway's clinical use. See the FDA "Uses" section below for approved indications.

Anxiety Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Uses (FDA Indications) (FDA source)

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) ( 1 ). Efficacy was demonstrated in: One 12-week study fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules in adults ( 14.1 ). Two 10-week studies with immediate-release (IR) fluvoxamine tablets in adults and one 10-week study with IR fluvoxamine tablets in children and adolescents ( 14.1 , 14.3 ). One maintenance study with IR fluvoxamine tablets ( 14.2 ). 1.1 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), as defined in the DSM-IV. Obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent and persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) that are ego-dystonic and/or repetitive, purposeful, and intentional behaviors (compulsions) that are recognized by the person as excessive or unreasonable. The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time-consuming, or significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning. The efficacy of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules was demonstrated in one 12-week trial in adults with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules as well as in two 10-week trials in adults and in one 10-week trial in children and adolescents (ages 8 years to 17 years) with immediate-release fluvoxamine tablets in outpatients with the diagnosis of OCD as defined in DSM-IV or DSM-III-R (see CLINICAL STUDIES [ 14.1 , 14.3 ]). …

Dosage Forms & Strengths (FDA source)

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules are available as: 100 mg Extended-Release Capsules: Available in a olive opaque/grey opaque hard gelatin capsules of size '2' imprinted with 'ap' logo on cap and 'FL 100' on body in black ink containing white to off white pellets. 150 mg Extended-Release Capsules: Available in a olive opaque/white opaque hard gelatin capsules of size '1' imprinted with 'ap' logo on cap and 'FL 150' on body in black ink containing white to off white pellets. 100 mg and 150 mg Extended-Release Capsules ( 3 )

Warnings & Precautions (FDA source)

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Clinical Worsening/Suicide Risk: Monitor for clinical worsening of suicidal thoughts/behaviors especially during the initial months of therapy and at times of dose changes ( 5.1 ). Bipolar Disorder: Screen for bipolar disorder ( 5.1 ). Serotonin Syndrome: Serotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents. If such symptoms occur, discontinue fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules and serotonergic agents and initiate supportive treatment. If concomitant use of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases ( 5.2 ). Angle Closure Glaucoma: Angle closure glaucoma has occurred in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles treated with antidepressants ( 5.3 ). Other Potentially Important Drug Interactions: Benzodiazepines : Use with caution. Coadministration with diazepam is generally not advisable ( 5.9 ). Clozapine: Clozapine levels may be increased and produce orthostatic hypotension or seizures ( 5.9 ). Methadone: Coadministration may produce opioid intoxication. Discontinuation of fluvoxamine may produce opioid withdrawal ( 5.9 ). Mexiletine: Monitor serum mexiletine levels ( 5.9 ). Theophylline: Clearance decreased; reduce theophylline dose by one-third ( 5.9 ). Warfarin: Plasma concentrations increased and prothrombin times prolonged; monitor prothrombin time and adjust warfarin dose accordingly ( 5.9 ). Discontinuation: Symptoms associated with discontinuation have been reported ( 5.10 ). In the absence of an emergency, abrupt discontinuation not recommended ( 2.7 , 5.2 ). Abnormal Bleeding: May increase bleeding risk, especially when used with NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin, or other drugs that affect coagulation ( 5.11 ). Activation of Mania/Hypomania has occurred ( 5.12 ). …

Common Side Effects (FDA source)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Most common reactions in controlled trials with OCD patients and patients from another studied population (incidence ≥5% and at least twice that for placebo) were abnormal ejaculation, anorexia, anorgasmia, asthenia, diarrhea, nausea, somnolence, sweating and tremor ( 6.2 ) . The following additional reactions occurred: anxiety, decreased libido, myalgia, pharyngitis, and vomiting in the OCD population; and dyspepsia, dizziness, insomnia, and yawning in another studied population. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ajanta Pharma USA Inc., at 855-664-7744 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Data Sources Fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules were studied in one 12-week controlled trial in patients with OCD (N = 124; mean exposure 66.6 days) and in two 12-week controlled trials for another condition (N = 279; mean exposure 59.2 days). Patients in these trials were initiated on 100 mg/day and were titrated in 50 mg increments over the first 6 weeks to within a range of 100 mg/day to 300 mg/day. The reactions listed in Table 2 show reactions from the two populations separately. Table 3 shows reactions from the three controlled studies combined. 6.2 Adverse Reactions Observed in Controlled Trials Adverse Reactions Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment : Of the 124 patients with OCD and 279 patients in other studies treated with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules in controlled clinical trials, 19% and 26% discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction. …

Drug Interactions (FDA source)

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Drug Interactions (not described in Contraindications or Warnings and Precautions) include the following: Drugs Inhibiting or Metabolized by Cytochrome P450: Fluvoxamine inhibits several cytochrome P450 isoenzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, and CYP2C19) ( 7.1 ) . Carbamazepine: Elevated carbamazepine levels and symptoms of toxicity with coadministration ( 7.2 ) . Sumatriptan: Rare postmarketing reports of weakness, hyperreflexia, and incoordination following use of an SSRI and sumatriptan. Monitor appropriately if concomitant treatment is clinically warranted ( 7.2 ) . Tacrine: Coadministration increased tacrine C max and AUC five-and eight-fold and caused nausea, vomiting, sweating, and diarrhea ( 7.2 ) . Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): Coadministration significantly increased plasma TCA levels. Use caution; monitor plasma TCA levels; reduce TCA dose if indicated ( 7.2 ) . Tryptophan: Severe vomiting with coadministration ( 7.2 ) . Diltiazem: Bradycardia with coadministration ( 7.3 ) . Propranolol or Metoprolol: Reduce dose if coadministered with fluvoxamine and titrate more cautiously ( 7.3 ) . 7.1 Potential Interactions with Drugs that Inhibit or are Metabolized by Cytochrome P450 Isoenzymes Multiple hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes are involved in the oxidative biotransformation of a large number of structurally different drugs and endogenous compounds. The available knowledge concerning the relationship of fluvoxamine and the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme system has been obtained mostly from pharmacokinetic interaction studies conducted in healthy volunteers, but some preliminary in vitro data are also available. …

Interactions With Other Medications We Cover

FDA label text for Fluvoxamine Maleate or a related medication mentions the following combinations. Check any two medications with our interaction tool →

• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Lithium Carbonate — Moderate
• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Buspirone Hydrochloride — Moderate
• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Duloxetine Hydrochloride — Moderate
• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Olanzapine — Moderate
• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Clomipramine Hydrochloride — Minor
• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Fluoxetine Hydrochloride — Minor
• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Sertraline Hydrochloride — Minor
• Fluvoxamine Maleate + Paroxetine Hydrochloride — Minor

About this interaction data. These interactions were identified by automatically scanning FDA prescribing-label text for medications in Bridgeway's library. This is not a complete list and is not a substitute for review by your prescriber or pharmacist, who use comprehensive clinical databases. Always share your full medication list with your care team. How we source this data →

Contraindications (FDA source)

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Coadministration of thioridazine, tizanidine, pimozide, alosetron, or ramelteon with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules is contraindicated ( see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS [ 5.4 - 5.8 ] ) . Coadministration of thioridazine, tizanidine, pimozide, alosetron, or ramelteon ( 4 ). Serotonin Syndrome and MAOIs: Do not use MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules or within 14 days of stopping treatment with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules. Do not use fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders. In addition, do not start fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules in a patient who is being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue ( 4.1 ). 4.1 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) The use of MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules or within 14 days of stopping treatment with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules is contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. …

Use in Specific Populations (FDA source)

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Specific populations not discussed in Dosage and Administration or Warnings and Precautions include: Pregnancy: Consider both potential risks and benefits when treating a pregnant woman. Infants exposed to SSRIs in pregnancy have developed various complications and may be at risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) ( 2.7 , 8.1 ). Nursing mothers: Fluvoxamine is secreted in human breast milk ( 8.3 ). Geriatric: Use of a lower starting dose may be warranted. Titrate slowly during initiation of therapy ( 2.3 , 8.5 ). Smokers: Smokers had a 25% increase in fluvoxamine metabolism ( 7.4 ). 8.1 Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: When pregnant rats were given daily doses of fluvoxamine (60 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg, or 240 mg/kg) orally throughout the period of organogenesis, developmental toxicity in the form of increased embryofetal death and increased incidences of fetal eye abnormalities (folded retinas) was observed at doses of 120 mg/kg or greater. Decreased fetal body weight was seen at the high dose. The no effect dose for developmental toxicity in this study was 60 mg/kg (approximately 2 time the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] on a mg/m 2 basis). In a study in which pregnant rabbits were administered doses of up to 40 mg/kg (approximately 2 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis) orally during organogenesis, no adverse effects on embryofetal development were observed. …

Most-Reported Adverse Events (FAERS)

Of 2,393 adverse-event reports mentioning Fluvoxamine Maleate submitted to the FDA, the most frequently reported reactions are:

• Drug Interaction — 219 reports
• Drug Ineffective — 141 reports
• Nausea — 128 reports
• Somnolence — 115 reports
• Anxiety — 110 reports
• Suicidal Ideation — 100 reports
• Depression — 95 reports
• Dizziness — 95 reports
• Headache — 93 reports
• Insomnia — 87 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary, unverified reports from patients and providers worldwide — they do not mean the medication caused the reaction, and report counts reflect how widely a drug is used as much as its safety profile.