Luvox

[buddy1]

Does luvox present more side effects and withdrawal symptoms than Zoloft or Lexapro?
Or us it a better drug  for depression anxiety OCD?
Also, is there an issue with Luvox and dopamine ?
Worried about facial tics, eye problems , insomnia, body jerking movements.
Thanks

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Well, yes, comparatively Zoloft is a more popularly prescribed drug with relatively fewer side effects than Luvox. However, since some of these side effects including vision problems are common with SSRI, taking any SSRI will cause them if you are susceptible to it. Also, yes, you may have higher level of nausea. However, drugs behave differently for different people. So, its your doctor's call whether he/she wants to try this drug on you.

[buddy1]

I have been warned by pharmacists that Luvox has a much higher incidence of side effects, especially naseau and weight loss and panic , than Zoloft or lexapro.
I have taken lexapro and Zoloft in the past and developed eye floaters . Does this mean I will develop a worse case of eye floaters if I take Luvox? And naseau and losing weight? I cannot afford to be more naseau and to lose more weight as I have lost 45 pounds due to not eating .
Also luvox is the only one that says stomach upset and higher incidence of panic and suicidal thoughts?

[buddy1]

I have been warned by pharmacists that Luvox has a much higher incidence of side effects, especially naseau and weight loss and panic , than Zoloft or lexapro.
I have taken lexapro and Zoloft in the past and developed eye floaters . Does this mean I will develop a worse case of eye floaters if I take Luvox? And naseau and losing weight? I cannot afford to be more naseau and to lose more weight as I have lost 45 pounds due to not eating .
Also luvox is the only one that says stomach u

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!

Luvox is mainly used as an anti-depressant in OCD and social phobias. Lexapro is mainly used to treat major depression in adolescents and anxiety in adults. Zoloft has wider applications in post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, anxiety, and depression.
Luvox, Lexapro and Zoloft are all antidepressants and are known as serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). All three are longer acting SSRIs, but have different half lives, different pharmacokinetics etc so can show difference in side effects and withdrawal symptoms.  However, some side effects and withdrawal symptoms are common for the group.
In general, Lexapro has fewer side effects than Zoloft and Luvox. Zoloft causes more nausea, and sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is also common with Luvox, but less than that caused by Zoloft.
Withdrawal symptoms are highest with Zoloft and Luvox. However, due to lower protein binding in blood, Luvox gets cleared from the body pretty fast compared to Lexapro and Zoloft, so withdrawal symptoms can abate faster.
So Zoloft and Luvox are comparable in terms of effect and use, with Zoloft having a wider clinical application. However, both are necessary to treat anxiety, depression and OCD and the benefits of their treating these disorders outweigh their side effects. Your psychiatrist has to make the judicious choice of selecting which SSRI will work the best for you. Then your doctor monitors you and if need be adjusts the dose or slowly tapers the dose while adding another drug.
If you are on any of these drugs and having these symptoms, then please talk to your doctor regarding this.

I sincerely hope you will find this information useful in your journey towards better health.
Good Luck and take care!