Contains the active ingredient fluvoxamine (as fluvoxamine maleate)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
Read this leaflet carefully before taking your medicine.
This leaflet answers some common questions about fluvoxamine. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date listed on the last page. More recent information on this medicine may be available.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist:
if there is anything you do not understand in this leaflet,
if you are worried about taking your medicine, or
to obtain the most up-to-date information.
You can also download the most up to date leaflet from www.apotex.com.au.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
Pharmaceutical companies cannot give you medical advice or an individual diagnosis.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may want to read it again.
What this medicine is used for
The name of your medicine is APO-Fluvoxamine. It contains the active ingredient maleate.
It is used to treat:
Depression in adults
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults, adolescents and children eight years old and above.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
How it works
Fluvoxamine belongs to a family of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Depression
Fluvoxamine is used to treat depression in adults only. It is not recommended for treatment of this condition in children and adolescents as the safety and effectiveness of this medicine, when used for depression in this age group, have not been established.
Depression is longer lasting and/or more severe than the "low moods" everyone has from time to time due to the stress of everyday life.
It can affect your whole body and can cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, often waking up early, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feeling guilty for no reason.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Fluvoxamine is also used to treat a condition known as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children eight years of age or older.
People with OCD can have two types of symptoms - obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are unwanted repeated thoughts or feelings, which are ongoing.
Compulsions are the need to repeat actions over and over. The symptoms of OCD can vary from patient to patient.
Both of these conditions are thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain.
Fluvoxamine corrects this chemical imbalance and may help relieve the symptoms of depression and OCD.
There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
Use in children
Depression
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for treating depression in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age).
OCD
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for treating OCD in children under eight years of age.
Before you take this medicine
When you must not take it
Do not take this medicine if you are taking another anti-depressant medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Do not take fluvoxamine until 14 days after stopping any irreversible MAOI, and do not take any MAOIs until more than one week after stopping fluvoxamine.
Taking fluvoxamine with a MAOI may cause a serious reaction with a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you have been taking any of these medicines.
Do not take this medicine if you are taking a medicine called cisapride, used for treating stomach problems.
Do not take this medicine if you are taking a medicine called tizanidine, used for treating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.
Do not take this medicine if you are taking a medicine called linezolid, an antibiotic.
Do not take this medicine if you have or have had any of the following:
You are breastfeeding.
Fluvoxamine may pass into human breast milk.
You have had an allergic reaction to fluvoxamine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body, rash, itching or hives on the skin; fainting or hayfever-like symptoms
If you think you are having an allergic reaction, do not take any more of the medicine and contact your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at the nearest hospital.
The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
The packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or it does not look quite right.
Before you start to take it
Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor if:
1. You have allergies to:
any other medicines
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
2. You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
liver problems
kidney problems
bipolar disorder
epilepsy or fits
eye disorders such as high pressure in your eye or those at risk of glaucoma
bleeding problems
other blood disorders, including thrombocytopenia
diabetes
thoughts or actions relating to self-harm or suicide.
3. You are currently pregnant or you plan to become pregnant.
There have been reports that babies exposed to fluvoxamine and other antidepressants during the third trimester of pregnancy may develop complications after birth Do not take this medicine whilst pregnant until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
4. You are currently breastfeeding or you plan to breastfeed.
Like many other medicines, it can pass into breast milk and may affect your baby. Do not take this medicine whilst breastfeeding.
Your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for depression.
6 .You are planning to have surgery or an anaesthetic or any medical tests or treatments.
7. You are currently receiving or are planning to receive dental treatment.
8. You are taking or are planning to take any other medicines. This includes vitamins and supplements that are available from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some combinations of medicines may increase the risk of serious side effects and are potentially life-threatening.
These medicines must not be taken with fluvoxamine. They include:
MAOIs
tizanidine
cisapride
(See also "When you must not take it").
Some medicines may interact with fluvoxamine. These include:
other medicines used to treat depression or obsessive compulsive disorder, such as amitriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine, fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, paroxetine)
diazepam, alprazolam, triazolam and midazolam, drugs called benzodiazepines which are used for sleeping and anxiety
medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions, called antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol, thioridazine, olanzapine, quetiapine and clozapine)
medicines (tablets or injections) used for diabetes
aspirin and medicines for arthritis and inflammation (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- NSAIDs)
medicines used to thin the blood, such as warfarin
lithium, a medicine used to treat mood swings and some types of depression
medicines used to control fits, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin
sumatriptan, and other medicines called triptans used to treat migraines
tramadol, a strong pain-killer
phentermine, a weight loss medicine
tacrine, used for treating Alzheimer's Disease
theophylline, used to help breathing problems
methadone, a medicine used to treat drug addiction
mexiletine, used to treat heart problems
propranolol which lowers blood pressure or treats heart conditions
St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) or tryptophan, contained in some multivitamin and herbal preparations, which can be bought without a prescription
cyclosporine, used in organ transplants, psoriasis, arthritis and other conditions.
If you are taking any of these you may need a different dose or you may need to take different medicines.
Other medicines not listed above may also interact with fluvoxamine.
If you smoke the levels of fluvoxamine in your blood may be lower.
How to take this medicine
Follow carefully all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Their instructions may be different to the information in this leaflet.
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine you should take. This will depend on your condition and whether you are taking any other medicines.
To treat depression:
Adults: The usual starting dose is 50mg each day, usually in the evening but your doctor may adjust the number of tablets or the strength of the tablets you are taking until the desired response is achieved.
To treat OCD:
Adults: The usual starting dose is 50mg each day, usually in the evening, but your doctor may adjust the number of tablets or the strength of the tablets you are taking until the desired response is achieved.
Children & Adolescents (8 to 17 years): The usual starting dose is 25mg each day, usually at bedtime. The doctor will probably adjust the dose until the desired response is achieved.
If you are elderly and/or have liver or kidney problems your doctor may adjust the dose more slowly.
Do not stop taking your medicine or change your dosage without first checking with your doctor.
How to take it
Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. Do not chew the tablets.
When to take it
Take this medicine at the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect and will also help you remember when to take it.
It does not matter if you take it before, with or after food.
How long to take it for
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
Make sure you have enough to last over weekends and holidays.
The length of treatment will depend on how quickly your symptoms improve. Most antidepressants take time to work, so don't be discouraged if you don't feel better right away.
Some of your symptoms may improve in 1 or 2 weeks but it can take up to 4 or 6 weeks to feel any real improvement. Even when you feel well, you will usually have to take your tablets for several months or even longer to make sure the benefits are maintained.
Occasionally the symptoms of depression or other psychiatric conditions may include thoughts of harming yourself or committing suicide. It is possible that these symptoms may continue or increase until the full anti-depressant effect of your medicine becomes apparent (i.e. one to two months).
You or anyone close to you or caring for you should watch for these symptoms and tell your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital if you have any distressing thoughts or experiences during this initial period or at any other time.
Also contact your doctor if you experience any worsening of your depression or other symptoms at any time during your treatment.
This medicine should not be stopped abruptly, especially if you are taking 200 mg or more per day.
If your doctor decides that you should stop treatment, then the dose should be reduced by 100mg every three days.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.
This may increase the chance of you experiencing side effects.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints to help you remember.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, immediately telephone your doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
The most common symptoms are nausea (feeling sick), vomiting and diarrhoea. You could also experience drowsiness and dizziness, or feel faint. There have been cases of irregular heartbeat, fits and coma.
While you are taking this medicine
Things you must do
People taking fluvoxamine may be more likely to think about killing themselves or actually try to do so, especially when fluvoxamine is first started or the dose is changed. Tell your doctor immediately if you have thoughts about killing yourself or if you are close to or care for someone using fluvoxamine who talks about or shows signs of killing him or herself.
All mentions of suicide or violence must be taken seriously.
Occasionally, the symptoms of depression may include thoughts of suicide or self-harm. It is possible that these symptoms continue or get worse during the first one to two months of taking fluvoxamine until the medicine starts to work completely. This is more likely to occur if you are a young adult, i.e. 18 to 24 years of age, and you have not used antidepressant medicines before.
If you or someone you know or care for demonstrates any of the following warning signs of suicide-related behaviour while taking fluvoxamine, contact a doctor immediately, or even go to the nearest hospital for treatment:
thoughts or talk of death or suicide
thoughts of talk of self-harm or harm to others
any recent attempts of suicide or self-harm
increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation
worsening of depression.
Tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine if:
you are about to be started on any new medicine
you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant (tell your doctor immediately).
When taken during pregnancy, particularly in the last 3 months of pregnancy, medicines like fluvoxamine may increase the risk of a serious condition in babies, called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), making the baby breathe faster and appear bluish. These symptoms usually begin during the first 24 hours after the baby is born. If this happens to your baby you should contact your midwife and/or doctor immediately.
you are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed
you are about to have any blood tests
you are going to have surgery or an anaesthetic or are going into hospital.
Your doctor may occasionally do tests to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent side effects. Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up.
If you are under 18 years of age your doctor will monitor your weight and growth carefully.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Tell your doctor if you feel the tablets are not helping your condition.
If you are being treated for depression, be sure to discuss with your doctor any problems you may have and how you feel, especially any feelings of severe sadness or bursts of unusual energy or anger.
This will help your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you take this medicine.
Things you must not do
Do not:
Give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours
Take your medicine to treat any other condition unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to
Stop taking your medicine, or change the dosage, without first checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
It may cause drowsiness, dizziness or sleepiness in some people and affect alertness.
Although drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is unlikely to affect your response to fluvoxamine, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for depression.
You should minimise your intake of caffeine-containing beverages (e.g. coffee, tea) while taking this product.
Large amounts of caffeine may result in side effects such as tremor (shaking), palpitations (fast or irregular heart beat), nausea, restlessness and trouble or inability to sleep.
Older people may become confused when taking this medicine. Families and carers should be aware of this. Special care may be needed.
You should be careful for 1 or 2 weeks after stopping this medicine, because it will still be in your blood stream.
You should be aware that people over 50 years of age who take antidepressants have an increased risk of having a bone fracture.
Possible side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking fluvoxamine or if you have any questions or concerns.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea, heart burn, loss of appetite, abnormal taste, weight gain, weight loss
drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, nervousness, feeling anxious or agitated, headache
muscle or general body weakness, pins and needles, shaking
muscle or joint pain
dilated (larger) pupil of the eye
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following.
These may be serious side effects. You may need medical attention.
muscle spasms or twitches
sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
excessive bleeding or dark stools (may indicate a gut bleed)
feeling dizzy or faint after standing up quickly
sexual problems
inappropriate milk secretion
feeling confused, uncoordinated or making unintended movements, having an unusual posture
restlessness, urge to move, pacing, swinging legs while seated, rocking from foot to foot
hearing, seeing or feeling things that are not there
problems with your liver, shown by yellow skin or eyes, or pale stools
faster or thumping heart beat, sweating, or unusual bruising.
If you experience any of the following, stop taking your medicine and contact your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
These are very serious side effects and you may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Mood of excitement, over-activity and uninhibited behaviour (a manic episode)
Sudden onset of prolonged muscular spasm, affecting the eyes, head, neck and body
Sudden increase in body temperature, severe convulsions (fits)
Fast heartbeat, sweating, racing thoughts and restlessness.
Other side effects observe more frequently in children are: abnormal thoughts or behaviour, cough, increased period pain, nose bleeds, increased restlessness, infection and sinusitis.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell including any suicidal thoughts or other mental/mood changes (see "Things you must do").
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.
Allergic reactions
If you think you are having an allergic reaction to fluvoxamine, do not take any more of this medicine and tell your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include some or all of the following:
cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
fainting
hayfever-like symptoms
Storage and disposal
Storage
Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it.
If you take your medicine out of its original packaging it may not keep well.
Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature will stay below 30°C.
Do not store your medicine, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or it has passed its expiry date, your pharmacist can dispose of the remaining medicine safely.
Product description
What APO-Fluvoxamine looks like
Fluvoxamine 50mg tablets
Golden, round, scored tablet, film-coated, engraved "APO" on one side, "F" over bisect "50" on the other side.
Packs of 30 tablets in blisters.
Fluvoxamine 100 mg tablets
Reddish-brown, pillow-shaped scored tablet, film-coated, engraved "APO" on one side and "FLU bisect 100" on the other side.
Packs of 30 tablets in blisters.
Not all strengths may be available.
Ingredients
Each tablet contains 50 mg or 100 mg of fluvoxamine maleate as the active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
magnesium stearate
mannitol
hydroxyethyl cellulose
macrogol 8000
titanium dioxide
iron oxide yellow
iron oxide red (100 mg tablets only)
iron oxide black (100 mg tablets only)
This medicine is gluten-free, lactose-free, sucrose-free, tartrazine-free and free of other azo dyes.
