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Fluvoxamine User Reviews & Ratings

Fluvoxamine has an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from a total of 365 reviews on Drugs.com. 57% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 24% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder  
7.2
206 reviews for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 9 medications
Anxiety and Stress  
5.3
86 reviews for Anxiety and Stress 6 medications
Depression  Off-label
6.7
36 reviews for Depression 76 medications
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  Off-label
6.9
13 reviews for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 2 medications
Social Anxiety Disorder  
7.4
10 reviews for Social Anxiety Disorder 6 medications
Panic Disorder  Off-label
6.0
7 reviews for Panic Disorder 18 medications
Anorexia/Feeding Problems  Off-label
8.8
4 reviews for Anorexia/Feeding Problems 1 medications
Body Dysmorphic Disorder  Off-label
7.0
1 reviews for Body Dysmorphic Disorder 9 medications
Persistent Depressive Disorder  Off-label
10.0
1 reviews for Persistent Depressive Disorder 9 medications
Trichotillomania  Off-label
3.0
1 reviews for Trichotillomania 3 medications
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Reviews for Fluvoxamine

  • Jeff
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 26, 2019

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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 have went gone 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."

10 / 10
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276 Report
  • John
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 29, 2020

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Medical Student experiencing OCD since 9 years old. Luvox is Lifechanging 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. Lifechanging. OCD dropped from 13 hours a day to 5 minutes. Lifechanging."

10 / 10
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178 Report
  • Raand
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 6, 2020

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Anxiety and Stress "Luvox has worked well for me. One issue is how it interacts with caffeine, it can be very unpleasant. I feel sped up and then hungover, sometimes for days. I don’t feel like this is mentioned enough when discussing this medicine, so I thought it was worth pointing out. As someone that loves coffee this has been very frustrating."

8 / 10
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163 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • September 30, 2015

Luvox (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 its a physical volume knob that turns your thoughts down... To the point where they are still there, but so quiet they're insignificant. 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! :)"

9 / 10
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246 Report
  • Kaod
  • April 6, 2020

Luvox (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 a 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, instructive thoughts. What thus 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 difficult falling asleep. I am so grateful I found this, highly recommend!"

10 / 10
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124 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

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

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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 its 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."

10 / 10
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156 Report
  • MPano
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 17, 2021

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Luvox for 21 years at varying levels. Yes it has its issues getting on and off it, but I can't imagine life without it. To the people who have issues getting on it because of gastrointestinal issues, you have to go on it slowly. Yes it makes you tired for 4 to 6 weeks, but when I went on this the 1st time I was in a bad way and almost immediately I saw little improvements. Slowly over the 6 weeks the doctor raised my levels and life returned to normal. After one year I weaned myself off the medication only to go back on at a lower dose. I never come off it but I now know from the way I feel when to up and down the level and have played with how much I take for 21 years. Never come off cold turkey and always raise the amount slowly. Hope this helps ."

9 / 10
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83 Report
  • Emily
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "50mg fluvoxamine a day has led to me being without panic and obsessive thoughts for the first time in my life. I used to read these forums for hours and resist meds but I’m so glad I finally tried them. I feel relief."

10 / 10
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114 Report
  • Coura...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 31, 2015

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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!"

10 / 10
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191 Report
  • micke...
  • August 26, 2013

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Anxiety and Stress "A year ago I was prescribed Luvox in a psych ward where they took me off Prozac. I felt really okay! I had a follow up visit 2 weeks later with my psychiatrist of 30 years. He immediately took me off it saying in no way was Luvox right for me. He put me on Parnate. After one week I felt like I had been poisoned. He then told me to to go back to Prozac. Time for a new doctor, my new doctor put me back on Luvox. Now, at 4 months, I feel really well for the first time in many, many years. I rated this an 8 because 10 means perfection to me and there is no such thing as that with any medicine."

8 / 10
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215 Report
  • Andrew...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • October 27, 2016

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

10 / 10
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161 Report
  • Anxie...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 2, 2023

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

10 / 10
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17 Report
  • Prome...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 22, 2015

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Saved my life plain and simple. Taking the drug for 18 years now fluctuating between 100 and 400mg 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 reigned in by Luvox. Yes there are side effects, but they are nothing that can't be tolerated when the alternative is death."

10 / 10
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174 Report
  • Maryw
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 1, 2019

Luvox (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 charter 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."

10 / 10
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113 Report
  • indie...
  • March 17, 2014

Luvox (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 ruminating 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! 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."

9 / 10
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180 Report
  • Ausdude
  • August 2, 2013

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Anxiety and Stress "An excellent medicine for me for controlling thoughts and anxiety. I use 50mg at 8pm. I can't describe what a difference it has made to my life. I'm happy to take it for the rest of my life. I tried going without it for about a year because I was feeling good, but I will never do that again because of how horrible it was without it. When I've gone on Luvox, I feel the effect almost overnight. It is really important that you take it at the same time every day and that you follow a good sleeping schedule and not go to bed very late (i.e. after 11pm) for best results. There is only one downside for me and that is more difficult to reach orgasm and libido is reduced. If it was not for this I would give it a 10."

9 / 10
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184 Report
  • TLBW
  • May 25, 2017

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was first put on this med in 1995 to deal with my OCD which manifests itself in compulsive negative thought and 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."

10 / 10
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129 Report
  • lisa
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 8, 2013

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Anxiety and Stress "I suffered from anxiety, excessive worrying and ruminating to the point where it was obsessive and led to a bad depression. I have been this way off and on ever since I can remember. I have been referred to as a worry wort and possibly obsessive compulsive. I tried Zoloft and Lexapro. Both helped with my depression symptoms however neither helped my anxiety at all and both killed my appetite and sex drive. I also tried Xanax occasionally and Buspar. However although these relieved my anxiety they made my depression worse. It was a catch 22. Finally doc put me on a low dose (25mg) of Luvox. What a relief! I have not noticed any side effects other than drowsiness at times. This medicine has worked well so far even in a low dose two months now."

8 / 10
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180 Report
  • Lnd
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 17, 2019

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

10 / 10
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89 Report
  • FindY...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 23, 2019

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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 nervous breakdown. I balled 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 incase I had 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."

1 / 10
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85 Report
  • Mom...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 5, 2014

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Wow finally a conversation with my son that is NOT fishing. 17 yr old son was dropped on his head when he was born by a nurse. He has seen the same neuro since being a baby. We've tried everything. Cocktails of medicines, seizure meds, etc. Nothing helped. It got so bad 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. 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."

10 / 10
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148 Report
  • Danni...
  • July 7, 2016

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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."

10 / 10
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112 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 2, 2013

Luvox (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 and 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."

9 / 10
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142 Report
  • OCD...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 20, 2019

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Loved this drug Luvox for my OCD. Bathed my brain in Serotonin. And while that was a good solution, it was also posed a problem. It took anxiety/OCD away better then most SSRI's I have tried. However, it made my me incredibly tried. 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."

9 / 10
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74 Report
  • PJK...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 8, 2017

Luvox (fluvoxamine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "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 its worth: therapy can greatly help an OCD victim - and IMO the best therapists are the ones that have or had OCD themselves."

9 / 10
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95 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.