tokidoki - Luvox™ (fluvoxamine) is similar to other SSRIs, but at the same time it is slightly different. It does have a shorter half-life than the others, so if you are taking it for depression you usually need to take it twice daily. As for "start-up" side effects, it seems to cause more stomach upset (at least in the first week or so) than most of the others, but taking Luvox™ with food will minimize this. Another difference from other SSRIs is that it may initially cause some diarrhea, but it is usually not that bad; more like looser stools than water diarrhea.

Over the long haul, Luvox™ tends to cause less sexual dysfunction and does not usually cause the same weight gain as many of the other SSRIs. It tends to be better for anxiety than others (Paxil™ - paroxetine - may be slightly better).

On the downside, Luvox™ may interact with other medications (esp. cholesterol drugs - statins, dextromethorphan - DM; cough suppressant, and acetaminophen - Tylenol™). The twice daily dosing can be a pain; although, not all doctors prescribe it twice daily, especially if it is being used in combination with another antidepressant. When used as an augmenting agent for other antidepressants Luvox™ is given at bedtime. The reason that it is not used more is because it does need to be taken twice daily, and this reduces compliance.

Don't be afraid to take the Luvox™, give it a fair trial (a good 3 or 4 weeks) to see if it works for you. I hope that this is of some help. - Cam