Luvox and Depression: What Users Say

• Lem...
• March 30, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Luvox for anxiety and panic attacks. Initially, Luvox just made me tired. After about 2 weeks, it started making me feel depressive. Continued taking it for about 2 months, the depressive symptoms only got worse. I had to discontinue medication because it caused depression for me. Did not help for anxiety or panic at all. When tapering off, I suffered severe nausea and headaches. Didn't work and has bad side effects."

• OKC...
• July 8, 2010

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."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 22, 2014

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Luvox is fantastic - My Dr put me on it first up. I didn't try any other medicines, and I've been on it for over a year now and have happily lived almost symptom-free. The only thing is when I miss it one or two nights, I become a bit of a mess, crying and feeling anxious. Also, I'm starting to feel a bit of depression, which is odd for me, but I think it will just be a matter of lowering the dose. It was so bad I was on 300 mg and 2 mg of Risperidone, but now down to 300 mg Luvox only, but perhaps should try going down to 200 mg to see if the motivation comes back."

• OCD...
• October 26, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I’ve been on Luvox for about a year and a half now, far better than Zoloft for me. Zoloft just made me feel like a zombie with anxiety and depression. Luvox has allowed me to totally stop my ruminating thoughts completely. My depression is still very real, though, it feels like there is a weight on my brain. I’ve tried to augment with a few medications so far, with none helping. Might switch to something different soon, but 10/10 for OCD, 2/10 for depression."

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 21, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was put on Luvox at 8. I don't recall if it helped with OCD. The whole time I was on the drug, I experienced bad side effects. I was constantly drowsy and unable to function or process information at a normal capacity; as a child and teenager, it was a hindrance to my ability to socialize. I missed out on a lot of my education as a result and am still making up for it (at 30). I was constantly depressed and often suicidal. The drug suppressed my sex drive, which never developed naturally (as a teenager, it was confusing). I got off the drug easily when I was 19. I was instantly more awake, animated, and no longer depressed or suicidal. I have migraines, and it's been suggested that my long dependency on Luvox might be a cause. I would not recommend this drug. It did nothing helpful for me and has been a huge hindrance in my life. I would strongly caution any parent who is considering this drug for a child; any help it provides is not worth the side effects and long-term damage."

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 21, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was put on Luvox at 8. I don't recall if it helped with OCD. The whole time I was on the drug, I experienced bad side effects. I was constantly drowsy and unable to function or process information at a normal capacity; as a child and teenager, it was a hindrance to my ability to socialize. I missed out on a lot of my education as a result and am still making up for it (at 30). I was constantly depressed and often suicidal. The drug suppressed my sex drive, which never developed naturally (as a teenager, it was confusing). I got off the drug easily when I was 19. I was instantly more awake, animated, and no longer depressed or suicidal. I have migraines, and it's been suggested that my long dependency on Luvox might be a cause. I would not recommend this drug. It did nothing helpful for me and has been a huge hindrance in my life. I would strongly caution any parent who is considering this drug for a child; any help it provides is not worth the side effects and long-term damage."

• OCD...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 25, 2015

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was having major anxiety and depression. I sought therapy for a year, and nothing was helping. I tried amitriptyline, Prozac, Lexapro, and I don't know what else, I can't remember. I found a psychiatrist that immediately diagnosed me as OCD at 30 (!!). Mainly O, with some compulsions that are highly functioning. This drug stopped the depression in weeks at 50 mg. Compulsions were so much more manageable. After two years, it just stopped working. We've gone up to 100 mg, and I started getting blurry vision. At 125 mg, I was highly agitated and depressed. Not sure where to go from here."

• Kis...
• December 8, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Was giving this to my daughter of 17 years of age. She struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughts/OCD. She was on clomipramine 50 mg for 8 months and had a great, normal life, but after 8 months, the horrible side effects returned with heart palpitations and a bad, bad stomachache. We switched her to Luvox 1/2 tablet to start because she is sensitive to meds, and by the 2nd night of a whole tablet dosage, she had extreme rage and sadness. This wasn’t any help for her, it actually made things way worse and woke up her inner demons! She now moved to Lexapro. Fingers crossed. God bless those in search of peace."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "After being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (2012), I began experiencing anxiety and depression, accepting this life change and handling the symptoms. My doctor prescribed me Lexapro 20 mg daily, which helped with mild anxiety and overall day-to-day stress. However, I still experienced heavy anxiety while traveling and taking on new projects/assignments at work. I explained that I felt that the Lexapro was great but not working in all situations. My doctor then switched me to Luvox 200 mg daily. I've been taking Luvox for less than a week now and am already experiencing dry mouth, lack of motivation, diarrhea, nausea, lightheadedness/faint, and being more emotional and irritable. Obviously not for me. Life overall was better with Lexapro."

• Hey...
• January 7, 2016

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."

• ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Tried all the SSRIs before resorting to this drug for GAD and panic disorder. Made me severely depressed within hours of taking it. I even had an anxiety attack because I had thoughts of suicide. Got so scared of my own thoughts that I checked into the ER for the first time. I told my doctors about having suicidal thoughts due to this drug. She didn't believe me. She said I was probably depressed due to anxiety. Oh yeah, this drug gave me shortness of breath, which made my anxiety even worse. I don't recommend this drug to my friends or family."