FDA Approves Luvox CR (Fluvoxamine Maleate) Extended-Release Capsules for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder) are two of the more common...much more common than formerly thought...diagnoses and also two of the most difficult to treat.  JAZZ Pharmaceutical's new fluvoxamine formulation (Luvox CR) will invigorate patient self-identification and treatment of these disorders.

1. Controlled release preparations are often better tolerated with fewer side effects than immediate release preparations 2. OCD and SAD are severe, highly prevalent and chronically disabling conditions 3. Despite presence of SSRIs and other treatment, e.g, cognitive behavioral therapy, up to 1/3 of patients with OCD or SAD do not respond to currently available treatments and among responders many...

Luvox was one of the first SSRI's approved for pediatric prescription (for OCD rather than for depression). When patent expired, the maker discontinued manufacture. It has been available in limited supply as generic. Availability of brand-name extended-release product (Luvox CR) will be a significant addition to the options for drug treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, since...

Fluovoxamine is perhaps the last participant in the SSRI explosion of the 1980's.  It is also the least used and hence, least profitable entry in the SSRI horse race, primarily because of timing rather than any particular pharmacological deficiency.  To believe that this attempt to rejuvenate an old draught horse is likely to lead to winning any trophies is pretty naive, in my opinion. ...

Fluvoxamine, the least known of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the US, will now have an FDA approved controlled release version - Luvox CR - for the treatment of OCD and Social Anxiety Disorder.   The collaboration between Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Solvay will have only an uphill battle ahead to improve perception of the fluvoxamine/Luvox line.  The Luvox brand once had...