Luvox Tapering Guide
fluvoxamine
Boxed Warning
Suicidality risk in children, adolescents, and young adults under 25 during initial treatment.
Overview
Fluvoxamine is an SSRI primarily approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is a potent inhibitor of CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 and also has sigma-1 receptor agonist activity, which may contribute to its anxiolytic properties.
25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 200mg
Tablets: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg; Extended-release capsules (CR): 100mg, 150mg
Category C (risk cannot be ruled out)
Mechanism of Action
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that potently inhibits the serotonin transporter (SERT). Also acts as a sigma-1 receptor agonist, which may provide additional anti-anxiety and neuroprotective effects.
Taper Notes
Short half-life. CR formulation available. Tablets can be split for gradual reduction.
Hyperbolic Tapering Guidance
Shorter half-life than most SSRIs; slower taper pace recommended. Tablets can be dissolved in water for precise dosing.
Summary written by TaperCommunity, informed by the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (Horowitz & Taylor) and related literature — see Sources & References below. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Maudsley.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Interactions & Safety
Drug Interactions
- MAOIs — contraindicated (serotonin syndrome risk)
- Thioridazine — contraindicated
- Alosetron — contraindicated (CYP1A2 inhibition)
Food Interactions
- No significant food effect on absorption
- Caffeine levels may increase significantly due to CYP1A2 inhibition
- Avoid alcohol during treatment
Contraindications
- MAOIs within 14 days
- Thioridazine
- Alosetron
Toxicity
Serotonin syndrome with serotonergic combinations. Significant drug interactions due to CYP1A2 inhibition (e.g., with theophylline, clozapine, tizanidine).
Pharmacokinetics
ADME Profile
Completely absorbed after oral administration. Bioavailability ~53% due to first-pass metabolism. Tmax 3–8 hours. Food does not significantly affect absorption.
~25 L/kg
Extensively metabolized hepatically via CYP2D6 and CYP1A2. Potent inhibitor of CYP1A2 and CYP2C19, moderate inhibitor of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4. No active metabolites.
Renal (~94% as metabolites, ~2% unchanged).
~77–80%
~1400 mL/min (apparent oral clearance)
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Other Drug Profiles
Sources & References
Luvox (fluvoxamine) information on this page is sourced from peer-reviewed research, regulatory bodies, clinical guidelines, and patient-advocacy organizations.
Encyclopedic & chemical databases
Neutral, high-authority entity references.
Peer-reviewed research
Primary literature cited in this taper guide.
- Horowitz MA, Taylor D 2019 — Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms (hyperbolic taper) (The Lancet Psychiatry)
- Davies J, Read J 2019 — A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects (Addictive Behaviors)
- Framer A 2021 — The patient voice: an exploration of the experience of withdrawal from antidepressants (Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology)
Clinical guidelines
Evidence-based deprescribing and prescribing standards.
Deprescribing-specific resources
Clinician-facing references on tapering protocols.
- Deprescribing.org — Evidence-based deprescribing algorithms from the Bruyère Research Institute
- Royal College of Psychiatrists — Stopping antidepressants — UK clinical guidance on safely discontinuing antidepressants
Patient-advocacy & lived-experience
Long-running communities documenting withdrawal experience.
- Surviving Antidepressants — tapering forum — Long-running community archive of antidepressant taper experiences
- Inner Compass Initiative — Withdrawal Project — Peer-led resources for psychiatric drug withdrawal
- Mad in America — antidepressant withdrawal archive — Journalism and personal narratives on SSRI/SNRI discontinuation
- RxISK — adverse drug reaction reporting — Independent database of patient-reported adverse effects
TaperCommunity does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified prescriber before adjusting psychiatric medication.