Luvox Dosage/Direction for Use

Depression: The recommended starting dose is 50 or 100 mg, given as a single dose in the evening. It is recommended to increase the dose gradually until an effective dose is reached. The usual effective dose is 100 mg per day and should be adjusted on individual patient response. Doses of up to 300 mg per day have been given. Dosages above 150 mg should be given in divided doses.
In agreement with the consensus statement of the WHO, antidepressant medication should be continued for at least 6 months after recovery from a depressive episode.
Fluvoxamine at a fixed single daily dose of 100 mg is the recommended dose for the prevention of recurrence of depression.
Obsessive compulsive disorder: Adults: The recommended starting dose is 50 mg per day for 3 - 4 days. The effective dosage usually lies between 100 mg and 300 mg per day. The dosage should be increased gradually until the effective dosage is achieved, with a maximum of 300 mg per day for adults.
Doses up to 150 mg can be given as a single dose, preferably in the evening. It is advisable that a total daily dose of more than 150 mg is given in 2 or 3 divided doses.
If a good therapeutic response has been obtained, treatment can be continued at a dosage adjusted on an individual basis. If no improvement is observed within 10 weeks, treatment with fluvoxamine should be reconsidered. While there are no systematic studies to answer the question of how long to continue fluvoxamine treatment, OCD is a chronic condition and it is reasonable to consider continuation beyond 10 weeks in responding patients. Dosage adjustments should be made carefully on an individual patient basis, to maintain the patient at the lowest effective dose. The need for treatment should be reassessed periodically. Some clinicians advocate concomitant behavioural psychotherapy for patients who have done well on pharmacotherapy.
Children and adolescents: The starting dose for children from 8 years on and adolescents is 25mg per day, preferably at bedtime. Increase every 4-7days in 25mg increments as tolerated until an effective dose is achieved. The effective dosage usually lies between 50mg and 200mg per day, the maximum dose in children should not exceed 200mg per day. It is advisable that a total daily dose of more than 50mg should be given in two divided doses. If the two divided doses are not equal, the larger dose should be given at bedtime.
Withdrawal symptoms seen on discontinuation of fluvoxamine: Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided. When stopping treatment with fluvoxamine, the dose should be gradually reduced over a period of at least one or two weeks in order to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions (see Precautions and Adverse Reactions). If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose, but at a more gradual rate.
Hepatic or renal insufficiency: Patients suffering from hepatic or renal insufficiency should start on a low dose and be carefully monitored.
Method of administration: Fluvoxamine tablets should be swallowed with water and without chewing.