FOCUS ON FLUVOXAMINE - A SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITOR FOR MAJOR DEPRESSION AND OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Recent interest in serotonin's role in the etiology of mood disorders has focused attention on antidepressant drugs that have a specific effect on this neurotransmitter. Fluvoxamine is a very potent and specific inhibitor of the presynaptic reuptake of serotonin. The drug is currently under FDA review for the treatment of major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Results of clinical trials suggest that fluvoxamine is equal in efficacy to tricyclic antidepressants for major depression, and more effective than placebo for obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is much better tolerated than tricyclic antidepressants due to its very low incidence of anticholinergic, cardiac, and sedative effects. Compared with fluoxetine, fluvoxamine offers the advantages of a much shorter half-life of elimination; less potential for agitation, insomnia, and drug interactions; and the possibility of a bedtime dosing regimen. Compared with clomipramine, fluvoxamine may also offer an equally effective and better tolerated treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.