Fluvoxamine: a review of the controlled trials in depression

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