Yes, Fluvoxamine is used to treat social anxiety disorder. It is anxiety related to interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life. Fluvoxamine is also used for treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic attacks. In OCD, a person experiences unwanted thoughts and the irresistible desire to perform certain actions over and over. These thoughts and desires do not go away and make it bothersome for the person.

There is no evidence that Fluvoxamine causes dependence. But, it is possible that patients may experience withdrawal symptoms on sudden discontinuation of Fluvoxamine. Usually, the withdrawal symptoms are mild and go away on their own within 2 weeks.

Yes, a common side effect of Fluvoxamine is sleepiness. It may also affect your ability to think clearly, make decisions, or react quickly. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until and unless you know how Fluvoxamine affects you.

It takes a long time for Fluvoxamine to start working. However, you may see an improvement in your sleep, appetite and energy levels within 1-2 weeks of starting Fluvoxamine. While, conditions like depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may take about 6-8 weeks to improve.

Fluvoxamine may either cause weight gain or weight loss. The weight loss could be due to loss of appetite. However, the chances of having weight gain or loss is not known. As compared to other anti-depressants, there is no significant change in body weight with Fluvoxamine in the majority of people.

You should not take Fluvoxamine if you are allergic to it, if you are taking another medicine to treat depression called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI within the last 14 days. This is because taking both these medicines close in time together may cause serious and sometimes fatal reactions like high body temperature, convulsions, and even coma.

Yes, the use of Fluvoxamine may cause serious health risks. These may include increased risks of suicidal thoughts and actions, mania, bleeding problems, convulsions, visual problems, and low sodium levels in the blood.

No, instead of stopping the medicine by yourself, consult your doctor who will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. This is done because sudden discontinuation of Fluvoxamine may cause withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include anxiety, irritability, high or low mood, feeling restless or changes in sleep habits, headache, sweating, nausea, dizziness, electric shock-like sensations, shaking, and confusion.