Fluvoxamine and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2013

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 worrywart 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, the 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."

• Mr ...
• June 13, 2013

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "I started on 50mg daytime and 50mg at night. Had upset stomach with vomiting for a few days, then that subsided. Eventually, my dosage was increased to 100mg during the day and 100mg at night. I had some life-changing events occur, and I was able to accept them and keep on track with life's daily trials and tribulations. It just helps keep your thoughts clear so that you can deal with life's challenges. The biggest side effect was that I wanted to sleep all the time. I decreased the dosage back down to 100mg, but I only take it once a day at 5:00 pm. It wears off enough by 7:00 am. Then I have motivation to do things throughout the day yet still remain somewhat calm and focused."

• Kub...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 17, 2025

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Fluvoxamine was great for me for the first few years. I've been taking it regularly for OCD every day since 2021 (it's 2025 as of the time of me writing this). And it's been working great, I felt my quality of life increase by over a hundred times. I still had some symptoms of OCD, but these were so toned down they didn't bother me anymore. All information on the internet I can find mentions no long-term effects, but I feel like that might not be the case, at least for me. For over half a year, I've been experiencing a lot of drowsiness. I can't realistically work on anything unless it's while lying down on the bed. Even then, I have to force myself to do it. This wasn't the case for over three years of taking this medicine, it started happening over half a year ago, and I experience it every day. I didn't change my diet, my lifestyle, or anything about other medication I'm taking, nor about fluvoxamine. I'm scared of trying something new. I really wish I could go back to how it was before."

• 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."

• rvr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2012

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "After trying Zoloft and Lexapro, without any success and made my symptoms worse. Luvox helped me get my life back, the best medicine. I feel MUCH more in control of my OCD. Excellent, even when I feel sleepy sometimes as a side effect, it's worth it!"

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2011

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "Luvox did help with my depression and anxiety symptoms, but it had an extreme sedative effect on me. Unfortunately, my doctor did not realize my extreme fatigue was caused by this medicine, and I spent money on sleep studies, blood tests, and various medications trying to figure out why I was so tired. I could get through my work day, but I would crash. I was sleeping 4 hours after work, getting up to make dinner, and then returning to bed. I was so frustrated, feeling like I was missing out on life. I wasn't depressed because of a chemical imbalance, but because I felt like I didn't have a life. I saw a different doctor, and as soon as he took me off Luvox, my energy returned. Definitely not the right medicine for me."

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

Fluvoxamine 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."

• SGC...
• July 7, 2014

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Try it if you have obsessive-compulsive disorder. I'm glad I did. Have taken it now for about 14 years. If OCD symptoms (ruminating and checking) were at a 9 before, they are at a 2 now. Just occasional flare-ups during more difficult periods of life. Side effects aren't unimportant - delayed ejaculation and a general sleepy feeling. The trade-offs are 1000% worth it."

• AAJ...
• May 7, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medication has been so helpful for my anxiety, OCD, and sleep. It worked really quickly too-within a few days. I never knew I could feel this relaxed. I have suffered from terrible anxiety since childhood and depression. Other antidepressants help my depression but do nothing for my OCD. This medication is quite sedating, so take it at bedtime. I haven't needed sleep meds since I started this medication either. I have a high-stress job and have found I can leave work at work. I haven't been stressing on the little things. I highly recommend this for OCD."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2016

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Luvox was the second medication I tried for OCD. I was only on the lowest dose of this medication for 4 days because the side effects were unbearable. About 4 hours after taking this medication, I became incredibly sedated and out of it. The drowsiness was so pronounced that I did not wish to continue this med. Since I had nowhere near reached the therapeutic dose of this medication, I hope that my rating doesn't discourage one from trying it. All SSRIs are notorious for having some initial side effects before you see their benefit; I just couldn't make it to that stage."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2016

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Luvox was the second medication I tried for OCD. I was only on the lowest dose of this medication for 4 days because the side effects were unbearable. About 4 hours after taking this medication, I became incredibly sedated and out of it. The drowsiness was so pronounced that I did not wish to continue this med. Since I had nowhere near reached the therapeutic dose of this medication, I hope that my rating doesn't discourage one from trying it. All SSRIs are notorious for having some initial side effects before you see their benefit; I just couldn't make it to that stage."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I’ve been on Luvox (150 mg) for 2 months due to OCD and anxiety, and it has been great! My obsession with negative thoughts went away, and I don’t ever remember having them! I don’t have any more anxiety in my chest, it's incredible! It also helped me with my appetite and mood. The only downside is that for the first month, I was really, really tired and slept almost all day. But the drowsiness went away after the second month."

• Anonymous
• June 23, 2010

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Luvox for social anxiety. I was told to take it at night before bed. After the first night of taking it, I woke up feeling pretty sedated and feeling weird. I also had nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea."

• Sar...
• December 4, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on 300 mg of fluvoxamine for quite a few months now. It was really hard to initially start the medication and increase the dosing. But I stuck with it. After a while, I noticed the drug 'took the edge off' of my anxiety. I was getting fewer panic attacks and was able to start doing things I was avoiding. My only issues with this drug are that 1) it's very sedating 2) I still have anxiety - some days are better than others, but I'm looking for complete relief. I know it's possible because I've been on medication that did just that. Any suggestions? I take 150 mg in the morning and then again at night."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "So it’s only my 4th day on this medication, my doctor prescribed me 25 mg to start off. I have severe anxiety and OCD. I’ve tried Lexapro, Zoloft, and Buspar but couldn’t get past the side effects. This is the only medication I’ve tried that doesn’t have major side effects. The only thing that I have noticed is I have been extremely tired. I take it every night at 9:00 pm, and I’m about to pass out 20 minutes after. It will make you tired during the day too. My doctor said that is normal and I need to push through it. I gave it a 9/10 because it’s only been about 5 days, so I haven’t noticed anything, but I will take the sleepiness side effect any day over the other medications. But I will update when I hit the 4-week mark."

• Too...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 18, 2015

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Went from too much genius to just enough. I won't describe it more specifically than that. Excessive thoughts used to cause very bad anxiety and stress. I used the fluvoxamine maleate to quell the excessive thoughts and was able to focus better on getting things done. The drug cannibalizes its effectiveness though because of the side effect of drowsiness. I am often very tired on the drug, and although I am still able to work well, it takes more effort to do so than when I am not on any medication. There are some sexual side effects to this drug as well. The most prominent sexual side effect is near inability to climax. But that is the nature of the drug: it numbs your emotions. I can't have a normal sex life on this drug."

• stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "The lifesaver for those suffering from all kinds of anxiety, stress, and OCD. I was suffering from hyperventilation-triggered anxiety and vice versa, which caused high-burden PVCs due to excessive levels of anxiety for approximately three years. After starting this drug, I experienced a reduction of symptoms from the very next day, but for magic to happen, you have to take it for at least six months, this varies from person to person. The only side effect I felt was drowsiness during work, which can be managed. Of course, a small amount of sacrifice for an exceptional benefit."

• anx...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This medication, fluvoxamine, is a godsend for OCD, my obsessive thoughts reduced by 90-95%. I've been on it for a little over three years, and it only gets better with time. My ONLY issue with this is I find myself losing a lot more hair than usual... I never really noticed it until a year or so ago, but I strongly suspect it's the Luvox. All other blood work is normal (vitamin levels too). I know there have been a couple of articles on SSRI hair loss, especially with Luvox, so I thought I'd put it out there. And there is slight drowsiness, which is totally fine for me because it chilled me out (I'm a high-energy, anxious person), but if you struggle with depression, this might be something to consider, as it is sedating. For me, it's been great, and I wish I had this stuff back in high school!"

• luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "It's been helping me a lot for my awful pure OCD, intrusive thoughts. I'd rate it a 6 out of 10. However, I've just recently increased the dose from 150 mg to 200 mg, so I might feel even better. Bad side effects: low libido, nausea, and drowsiness. Hope they will eventually subside as I'm taking it for less than two months (nausea is already subsiding)."

• Mu-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2019

For Depression "I have both anxiety and depression and maladaptive daydreaming, which can sometimes induce the anxiety and depression. I work 2 jobs, so I really needed an SSRI. My body metabolizes this a lot better (I have fewer side effects, but it's also not as effective). It works BEAUTIFULLY on my anxiety, but not so much for depression. As for my depression, depending on the day, it'll go in waves, and most of the depression is at work. If I'm depressed enough, I will still maladaptive daydream. I would not suggest this med if you have 2 jobs or are a very busy person who can't get enough sleep due to schedule. If you have time to sleep longer, it should be more effective. Naps help me most of the time. Although, depending on your body, it could make you more awake or very sleepy. With my body, it seems to make me more awake. I don't get the most restful sleep on this med, so if you have a lot of my symptoms, I might not recommend it."

• 2nd...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 9, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Started on LUVOX (brand name) in '96. LUVOX (brand name) is not made anymore. Switched to generic fluvoxamine (Apotex brand) in 2000. Worked great. Stopped working COLD as of late 2013. Wrote FDA, Solvay tested my prescription, said nothing wrong. All the other generic fluvoxamines (5) I've tried are worthless. Apotex must have changed its composition of the drug, i.e., filling, binder ingredients. Filed reports with FDA & Solvay (parent of Apotex). Solvay wrote back, 'Nothing is wrong.' Drug is totally ineffective on me now, as are all the other fluvoxamine generics I've tried. Only side effect was a bit of drowsiness. Have had to abandon taking this drug and am in the midst of trying other drugs."

• Bre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Well, after 5 years struggling with severe OCD (31 points on Y-BOCS) and 5 different drugs (2 SSRIs, 1 TCA, 1 antipsychotic, and 1 benzodiazepine) with plenty of side effects and not a satisfactory response, I gave fluvoxamine a go. Long story short, had a 75% decrease in my Y-BOCS score, meaning 'very much improved' (I went from 31 points, which means severe OCD, to 8 points, which means mild OCD). With bibliotherapy (aka reading plenty of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Metacognitive Therapy books), I've achieved complete freedom from OCD, being clinically healthy. Only downside is that fluvoxamine gave me extreme drowsiness, which I counter with 150mg/day of modafinil (that's why I gave 9/10)."

• xia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I had emetophobia and PTSD, took Lexapro at first but felt extremely nauseous, which triggered my phobia. Then switched to fluvoxamine, only sleepiness and dizziness the first two weeks, and slight nausea, which was totally bearable. It worked after a month on 50 mg (combined with 15 mg mirtazapine), the somatization faded, and I felt much calmer when facing triggers or traumatic memories."

• sev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 25, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I have very bad OCD. Specifically, health anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I went from 50 mg to 100 mg in about 4 months. My panic about my health and my insane intrusive thoughts literally disappeared. Luvox made me feel normal. But I became homeless after crappy life events for 3 months, so I had to wean myself off. I knew I couldn’t afford it in that time period. Now that I’m no longer homeless, I actually just took a 100 mg tablet from my leftovers pill bottle from July of this year (2021). Side effects: I’m tired as anything! Lol. Definitely makes me very drowsy and relaxed. I was having panic (OCD caused) right before I took the pill. Definitely try this out if you have bad OCD!"

• ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on it a month, and I feel like it is possibly going to change my life! I didn't think it would work, but I can feel thoughts pop into my mind and sometimes let them go. I am still compulsive, but less so. I feel happier and not panicky and worried almost all of the time. It is sedating, and I think I feel less motivated, though, but I am not sure if it is because I am less high on nerves driving me on all the time and now depression is bringing me down or if it is the drug."