Fluvoxamine

Also indexed as: Alti-Fluvoxamine®, Apo-Fluvoxamine®, Faurin®, Faverin®, Luvox®

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug, related to Prozac®. It is used primarily to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and is under investigation to treat depression.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, a herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.

May be Beneficial: Side effect reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.	Ginkgo biloba
May be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better.	Yohimbe*
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.	5-HTP Grapefruit/grapefruit juice L-tryptophan St. John’s wort* Tobacco
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details.	Melatonin
Depletion or interference	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and L-tryptophan
Fluvoxamine works by increasing serotonin activity in the brain. 5-HTP and L-tryptophan are converted to serotonin in the brain, and taking them with fluvoxamine may increase fluvoxamine-induced side effects. Until more is known, 5-HTP and L-tryptophan should not be taken with any SSRI drug, including fluvoxamine.

Melatonin
Fluvoxamine has been shown to significantly raise the amount of melatonin in the blood after oral administration.¹ Researchers suggest that fluvoxamine may inhibit elimination of melatonin, but the clinical significance of this finding is as yet unclear.

Interactions with Herbs

Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) may reduce the side effects experienced by some persons taking SSRIs such as fluoxetine or sertraline. An open-label study with elderly, depressed persons found that 200–240 mg of GBE daily was effective in alleviating sexual side effects in both men and women taking SSRIs.²

One case study reported that 180–240 mg of GBE daily reduced genital anaesthesia and sexual side effects secondary to fluoxetine use in a 37-year-old woman.³

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
One report describes a case of serotonin syndrome in a patient who took St. John’s wort and trazodone, a weak SSRI drug.⁴ The patient experienced mental confusion, muscle twitching, sweating, flushing, and ataxia. In another case, a patient experienced grogginess, lethargy, nausea, weakness, and fatigue after taking one dose of paroxetine (Paxil®, an SSRI drug related to fluvoxamine) after ten days of St. John’s wort.⁵ Until more is known about interactions and adverse actions, people taking any SSRI drugs, including fluvoxamine, should avoid St. John’s wort, unless they are being closely monitored by a doctor.

Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)
The alkaloid yohimbine from the African yohimbe tree affects the nervous system in a way that may complement fluvoxamine. One report studied depressed people who had not responded to fluvoxamine. When 5 mg of yohimbine was added three times each day, there was significant improvement. Some people required higher amounts of yohimbine before their depression improved. Because yohimbine can have side effects, it should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision. Yohimbine is a prescription drug, but standardised extracts of yohimbe that contain yohimbine are available as a supplement.

Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds

Alcohol
SSRI drugs, including fluvoxamine, may cause dizziness or drowsiness.⁶ Alcohol may intensify the drowsiness and increase the risk of accidental injury. People should avoid alcohol-containing products during fluvoxamine treatment.

Grapefruit
In a study of healthy volunteers, ingestion of 250 ml (approximately 8 ounces) of grapefruit juice along with fluvoxamine increased the blood level of fluvoxamine by 60%, compared with ingestion of fluvoxamine with water.⁷ Because a higher concentration of the drug could increase its adverse effects, individuals should not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice around the same time they take fluvoxamine.

Tobacco (Nicotiana species)
Smoking increases the metabolism of fluvoxamine, which may reduce effectiveness.⁸ People should avoid smoking while taking fluvoxamine.

References
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1. Härtter S, Grözinger M, Weigmann H, et al. Increased bioavailability of oral melatonin after fluvoxamine coadministration. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;67:1–6.

2. Cohen AJ, Bartlik B. Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther 1998;24:139–45.

3. Ellison JM, DeLuca P. Fluoxetine-induced genital anesthesia relieved by Ginkgo biloba extract. J Clin Psychiatry 1998;59:199–200.

4. Demott K. St. John’s wort tied to serotonin syndrome. Clin Psychiatr News 1998;26:28.

5. Gordon JB. SSRIs and St. John’s wort: possible toxicity? Am Fam Physician 1998;57:950.

6. Threlkeld DS, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Apr 1997, 264s.

7. Hori H, Yoshimura R, Ueda N, et al. Grapefruit juice-fluvoxamine interaction: is it risky or not? J Clin Psychopharmacol 2003;23:422–4 [Letter].

8. Spigset O, Carleborg L, Hedenmalm K, Dahlqvist R. Effect of cigarette smoking on fluvoxamine pharmacokinetics in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995;58:399–403.

Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2007.

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