Faverin Tablets

How does it work?

• Faverin increases the amount of a chemical called serotonin in your brain which is known to be lowered in depression.

When and how do I take it?

• Swallow the tablets with water. Do not chew them. You can break the tablets in half if your doctor has advised you to.
• Faverin may take a little time to start working. Some patients do not feel better in the first 2 or 3 weeks of treatment.

What’s the dose?

The treatment for depression:

• Start with 50 or 100 mg daily, taken in the evening.

The treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder:

• Start with 50mg daily, preferably in the evening.

If you don’t start to feel better after a couple of weeks, talk to your doctor, who will advise you. He or she may decide to increase the dose gradually. The highest daily dose that is recommended is 300 mg.

Could it interact with other tablets?

You should not start to take the herbal remedy St John’s Wort while you are being treated with Fevarin since this may result in an increase of undesirable effects. If you are already taking St John’s Wort when you start on Fevarin, stop taking the St John’s Wort and tell your doctor at your next visit:

• If you have been taking a medicine to treat depression or anxiety within the last two weeks, or you suffer from schizophrenia, check with your doctor or a pharmacist.

You should also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have been taking any of the medicines listed below:

• aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid ) or aspirin like medicines, used to treat pain and inflammation (arthritis)
• ciclosporin, used to reduce the activity of the immune system
• methadone, used to treat pain and withdrawal symptoms
• mexiletine, used to treat abnormal heart rhythms
• phenytoin or carbamazepine, used to treat epilepsy
• propranolol, used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions
• ropinirole, for Parkinson’s disease.
• sumatriptan, used to treat migraines
• terfenadine, used to treat allergies. Faverin should not be taken together with terfenadine.
• theophylline, used to treat asthma and bronchitis
• tizanidine, a muscle relaxer
• tramadol, a pain-killer
• warfarin, nicoumalone or any other drug used to prevent blood clots

If you are taking or have recently taken any of the medicines in the above list and you have not already discussed these with your doctor, go back to your doctor and ask what you should do. Your dose may need to be changed or you may need to be given a different medicine. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Like all medicines Faverin can cause side effects (unwanted effects or reactions), but not everyone gets them.

Side effects related to this type of medicine:

• Occasionally, thoughts of suicide or self harm occur or may increase in the first few weeks of treatment with Faverin, until the antidepressant effect has worked.
• Tell your doctor immediately if you have any distressing thoughts or experiences.

If you have several symptoms at the same time you might have one of the following rare conditions:

• Serotonin syndrome: if you have sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, instability, confusion, irritability or extreme agitation
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: if you have stiff muscles, high temperature, confusion and other related symptoms.
• SIADH: if you feel tired, weak or confused and have achy, stiff or uncontrolled muscles.

Stop taking Faverin and contact your doctor immediately.

If unusual bruising or purple patches appear on your skin or you vomit blood or pass blood in your stool, contact your doctor for advice.

Side effects specifically related to Faverin Common side effects (less than 1 in 10 patients):

• agitation
• anxiety
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• difficulty sleeping
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• faster heart beat
• feeling drowsy (lethargy)
• feeling unwell (malaise)
• headache
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• nervousness
• stomach pain
• sweating
• tremor

Uncommon side effects (less than 1 in 100):

• allergic skin reactions (including swelling of face, lip or tongue, rash or itching)
• confusion
• delayed ejaculation
• dizziness when standing up too quickly
• hallucinations
• lack of co-ordination
• muscle or joint pain
• muscle spasm

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• Do not drink alcohol if you are taking this medicine. This is because alcohol works together with Faverin and will make you sleepy and unsteady.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

• Do not take Faverin if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, unless your doctor considers it absolutely necessary.
• You must not breastfeed your baby during treatment with Faverin.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://patient.info/medicine/fluvoxamine-faverin

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/2074

http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2134433.PPA0465_319_002.0d756fdf-db1c-4940-ba40-95c512bb4c64.000001Product%20Leaflet%20Approved.130815.pdf

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/depression/a6706/faverin-fluvoxamine/

http://reference.medscape.com/drug/luvox-cr-fluvoxamine-342956