Movox (Fluvoxamine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Movox Used For?
Movox contains fluvoxamine, which belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by correcting a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain.
Primary Uses
Movox is used to treat depression in adults only (not recommended for children and adolescents with depression). It is also used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children eight years of age or older. Depression involves longer-lasting and more severe low moods than normal stress, affecting your whole body with symptoms like feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, poor appetite, disturbed sleep, and lack of energy. OCD involves unwanted repeated thoughts (obsessions) and the need to repeat actions over and over (compulsions).
How It Works
Both depression and OCD are thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. Movox corrects this chemical imbalance and may help relieve the symptoms of these conditions.
Good to know: There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
How to Take Movox
Your doctor will decide the right dose for you. Take Movox at the same time each day, swallowing the tablet whole with a full glass of water. You can take it with or without food.
Dosage Instructions
For depression in adults: The usual starting dose is 50mg each day, but your doctor may adjust this up to a maximum of 300mg per day. For OCD in adults: The usual starting dose is 50mg each day, up to a maximum of 300mg per day. For OCD in children and adolescents: The usual starting dose is 25mg each day, with a maximum daily dose of 200mg. If your daily dose is more than 150mg, it should be divided and taken 2 or 3 times per day. Continue taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel better.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it normally. If you have trouble remembering, ask your pharmacist for hints.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Never stop taking Movox suddenly or change your dose without checking with your doctor first.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- constipation, diarrhea, heartburn
- loss of appetite, dry mouth
- drowsiness, difficulty sleeping
- dizziness, nervousness, headache
- muscle weakness, muscular pains
- pins and needles, abnormal taste
- faster heartbeat, sweating
- weight gain or loss
- restlessness, pacing
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- muscle spasms or twitches
- significant bleeding or bruising
- allergic reaction with swelling of limbs, face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- sudden onset of prolonged muscular spasm affecting eyes, head, neck and body
- sudden increase in body temperature, severe convulsions
- fast heartbeat, sweating, racing thoughts and restlessness
- severe blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
- severe skin reaction with painful red areas, large blisters and peeling skin, possibly with fever and chills
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Movox. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medicines you’re taking.
Who Should Not Take Movox
Do not use Movox if you are allergic to fluvoxamine or any ingredients; taking or have taken within 14 days a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) like moclobemide or selegiline; taking pimozide, cisapride, tizanidine, or ramelteon; planning to become pregnant or are pregnant (unless confirmed by your doctor); or breastfeeding. Always check ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have bipolar disorder or mania, any other mental illness, liver or kidney problems, epilepsy or convulsive disorders, history of bleeding disorders including heavy bleeding after childbirth, diabetes, glaucoma, sexual problems, or if you take any other medicines. You may be at risk of developing certain side effects during treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Movox if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant unless your doctor tells you to. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine as the active ingredient passes into breast milk. Babies exposed to SSRIs during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk of experiencing agitation, abnormal muscle tone, tremor, breathing problems, and withdrawal symptoms after birth. Taking an SSRI within one month before delivery may increase the risk of heavy bleeding after childbirth.
Suicide Risk Warning: Tell your doctor immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts or other mental/mood changes. There is a greater risk of suicide in people with history of suicidal thoughts and in those aged less than 24 years. Be especially careful in the first few months of taking Movox or when the dose is changed.
Drug Interactions
Many medicines can interact with Movox and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Movox before starting any new medication.
Caffeine interaction: You should minimize your intake of caffeine-containing beverages (coffee or tea) while taking Movox. Movox can increase the effects of caffeine, causing tremor, palpitations, nausea, restlessness and trouble sleeping.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like moclobemide and selegiline
- Other antidepressants like sertraline, amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine
- Antipsychotic medicines like clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, lithium, pimozide, haloperidol
- Strong pain medicines like tramadol
- Benzodiazepines like alprazolam, triazolam, midazolam, diazepam
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen and diclofenac
- Epilepsy medicines like carbamazepine or phenytoin
- Migraine medicines like sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, eletriptan
- Blood thinning medicines like warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel
- Cisapride for gastroesophageal reflux
- Tizanidine muscle relaxant
- Ramelteon for insomnia
- Allergy medicines like terfenadine and astemizole
- Weight loss medicine phentermine
- Theophylline for breathing conditions
- Ciclosporin for immunosuppression
- Methadone for opioid detoxification
- St John’s Wort or tryptophan herbal remedies
- Opioid medicines like buprenorphine
Alcohol & Driving
Movox can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to stay safe.
Alcohol
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Movox. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Movox affects you. Movox may cause drowsiness, dizziness or sleepiness in some people and affect alertness. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep your tablets in their original pack until it’s time to take them. Store the pack in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Do not store Movox in the bathroom, near a sink, or leave it in the car on hot days, as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep Movox where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one and a half meters above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Movox, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The most common overdose symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. You could also experience drowsiness, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, liver function disturbances, or more serious complications like convulsions and coma. If possible, show the doctor the pack of tablets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 Movox for several months or longer to make sure the benefits are maintained.
Yes, you can take Movox with or without food. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water and do not chew the tablets.
No, there is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
Do not stop taking Movox suddenly without checking with your doctor first. Suddenly stopping it may cause headache, nausea, dizziness and anxious feelings. If your Movox treatment needs to be stopped, your doctor will provide instructions to reduce the dose gradually over at least one or two weeks.
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Movox. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Weight gain and weight loss are both possible side effects of Movox. Tell your doctor if you notice any significant weight changes while taking this medication.
Older people may become confused when taking Movox. Families and carers should be aware of this and 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 bloodstream.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.