Fluvoxamine: A Review of the Controlled Trials in Depression

Fluvoxamine, a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor, has been available as an antiobsessionalagent in the United States since 1995. However, it has been utilized as an effective antidepressant formany years in various European countries. The controlled trials of fluvoxamine in the pharmacotherapyof depression are reviewed. The drug compares well with a variety of other antidepressants. Itappears safe and well tolerated in daily doses of 50 to 300 mg. The most common adverse events aregastrointestinal complaints, particularly nausea. Initiating pharmacotherapy at lower doses and increasingover the period of 1 to 2 weeks minimizes this discomfort.