Fluvoxamine Maleate

FLUVOXAMINE MALEATE- fluvoxamine maleate capsule, extended release
Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.

SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. (See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS-Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk [5.1] and USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS-Pediatric Use [8.4] .)

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), as defined in the DSM-IV. Obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent and persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) that are ego-dystonic and/or repetitive, purposeful, and intentional behaviors (compulsions) that are recognized by the person as excessive or unreasonable. The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time-consuming, or significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning.

The efficacy of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules was demonstrated in one 12-week trial in adults with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules as well as in two 10-week trials in adults and in one 10-week trial in children and adolescents (ages 8 to 17 years) with immediate-release fluvoxamine tablets in outpatients with the diagnosis of OCD as defined in DSM-IV or DSM-III-R (see CLINICAL STUDIES [14.1, 14.3]).

The efficacy of fluvoxamine for long-term use was established in one maintenance study in adults with immediate-release fluvoxamine tablets (see CLINICAL STUDIES [14.2]). The health care provider who elects to prescribe fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION [2.4]).

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

The recommended starting dose is 100 mg at bedtime, with weekly increases of 50 mg as tolerated to maximum therapeutic benefit, not to exceed 300 mg per day.
Capsules should not be crushed or chewed.

2.2 Pediatric Patients Naïve to Fluvoxamine Maleate

Physicians should consider that the lowest available dose of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules may not be appropriate for pediatric patients naïve to fluvoxamine maleate.

2.3 Dosage for Elderly or Hepatically Impaired Patients

Elderly patients and those with hepatic impairment have been observed to have a decreased clearance of fluvoxamine maleate. Consequently, it may be appropriate to titrate slowly following the initial dose of 100 mg in these patient groups.

2.4 Maintenance/Continuation of Extended Treatment

Although the efficacy of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules beyond 12 weeks of dosing has not been documented in controlled trials, OCD is a chronic condition, and it is reasonable to consider continuation for a responding patient. The benefit of maintaining patients with OCD on immediate-release fluvoxamine maleate tablets after achieving a response for an average duration of about 4 weeks in a 10-week single-blind phase during which patients were titrated to effect was demonstrated in a controlled trial (see CLINICAL TRIALS [14.2]). Dosage adjustments should be made to maintain the patient on the lowest effective dosage, and patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for continued treatment.

2.5 Switching a Patient To or From a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) Intended to Treat Psychiatric Disorders

At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders and initiation of therapy with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules. Conversely, at least 14 days should be allowed after stopping fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules before starting an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders (see CONTRAINDICATIONS [4.1]).

2.6 Use of Fluvoxamine Maleate Extended-Release Capsules with Other MAOIs such as Linezolid or Methylene Blue

Do not start fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules in a patient who is being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue because there is an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. In a patient who requires more urgent treatment of a psychiatric condition, other interventions, including hospitalization, should be considered (see CONTRAINDICATIONS [4.1]).

In some cases, a patient already receiving fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules therapy may require urgent treatment with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. If acceptable alternatives to linezolid or intravenous methylene blue treatment are not available and the potential benefits of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue treatment are judged to outweigh the risks of serotonin syndrome in a particular patient, fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules should be stopped promptly, and linezolid or intravenous methylene blue can be administered. The patient should be monitored for symptoms of serotonin syndrome for two weeks or until 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, whichever comes first. Therapy with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules may be resumed 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS [5.2]).

The risk of administering methylene blue by non-intravenous routes (such as oral tablets or by local injection) or in intravenous doses much lower than 1 mg/kg with fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules are unclear. The clinician should, nevertheless, be aware of the possibility of emergent symptoms of serotonin syndrome with such use (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS [5.2]).

2.7 Discontinuation of Treatment with Fluvoxamine Maleate Extended-Release Capsules

Symptoms associated with discontinuation of other SSRIs or SNRIs have been reported (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS [5.10]). Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment. A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the health care provider may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules are available as:100 mg extended-release capsules: a hard gelatin capsule with blue opaque cap imprinted with “A175” in black ink and white opaque body imprinted with “100” in black ink.

150 mg extended-release capsules: a hard gelatin capsule with purple opaque cap imprinted with “A176” in black ink and white opaque body imprinted with “150” in black ink.

All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.

This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, in accordance with our Terms of Use, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or other qualified health professional.

Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.