Dumirox

fluvoxamine maleate

Dumirox is widely prescribed to treat depression, and anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder (OCSD), panic disorder, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dumirox is also used for the treatment of children and adolescents with social phobia, separation anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder. Dumirox may help in the treatment of Irritable Bowel syndrome.

What is Dumirox?

Dumirox (fluvoxamine maleate) belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are thought to work by increasing the activity of a chemical called serotonin in the brain.

Before taking Dumirox

Before using this medicine inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to allow for changes in your dose and to help reduce any side effects.

How should I take Dumirox?

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. The dose of fluvoxamine will be different for different patients. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than ordered. Continue to take this medicine even if you feel better. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.

If you miss a dose of this medicine and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. If you miss a dose of this medicine and you are taking more than 1 dose a day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.

You may have to take it for several weeks (up to 8 or 10 weeks) before you begin to feel better and feel the full effect of this medicine. It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to allow for changes in your dose and to help reduce any side effects.

Dumirox side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Below are listed side effects that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome. Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; trouble in sleeping; vomiting, abdominal pain; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dryness of mouth; feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings; fast or irregular heartbeat; frequent urination; heartburn; increased sweating; unusual weight gain or loss.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention so check with your doctor if you notice: sexual problems; mood, or mental changes; trouble in breathing; trouble in urinating; twitching.

Precautions

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fluvoxamine, the following should be considered:

Tell your health care professional if you are allergic to fluvoxamine or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.

This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Because fluvoxamine may cause weight loss or a decrease in appetite, children who will be taking fluvoxamine for a long time should have their weight and growth measured by the doctor regularly. Fluvoxamine must be used with caution in children with depression. Studies have shown occurrences of children thinking about suicide or attempting suicide in clinical trials for this medicine.

Fluvoxamine may cause some people to become drowsy or less able to think clearly, or to have blurred vision or poor muscle control. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, able to see clearly, or able to control your movements well. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking fluvoxamine.

Do not take astemizole, cisapride, or terfenadine while you are taking fluvoxamine. If you do, you may develop a very serious heart problem. Do not take fluvoxamine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor in the past 14 days. Do not start taking an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of stopping fluvoxamine. If you do, you may develop agitation, coma, extreme muscle stiffness, sudden high body temperature, or other severe unwanted effects.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely. This is to decrease the chance of having discontinuation symptoms. After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this period of time check with your doctor if you notice any side effects.

Notes

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Dumirox. If you have any other questions, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.