Lovan: Drug Information

Generic name: Fluoxetine

Brand Name: Fluox

Other names: Afzot, Barozac, Dawnex, Depzac, Faxtin, Fludac, Flugen, Flunat, Flunil, Fluron

Drug Class: serotonin Uptake Inhibitor, Antidepressant

Uses of Lovan:

Lovan is an antidepressant belonging to the class of Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and is used in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, bulimia, narcolepsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and fibromyalgia. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin at the synaptic cleft.

Dosage:

It is recommended to take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Lovan abruptly as it may worsen your present condition. You can take it with or without food.

Warning and Precautions:

Do not take Lovan if you are hypersensitive to Fluoxetine.

Lovan should not be give to patients with severe kidney or liver disorder.

Do not give this medicine to patients taking mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Tell your doctor if you have bee diagnosed with or have a history of unstable epilepsy, liver failure, renal impairment, cardiovascular disease or diabetes before taking Lovan.

Safety of this drug has not yet been established in pregnancy. Thus, you must not take it if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Drug Interactions:

Lovan can cause a transient shift inplasma concentration of protein bound drugs such as Warfarin and Digoxin resulting in adverse effects. It can prolong the half life of Diazepam. It Lovan is taken along with mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), it can result in a serious reaction. Therefore, it is advised to start Lovan therapy only after 14 days of stopping MAOI therapy. When Lovan is combined with other antidepressants it leads to a two-fold increase in the plasma levels which can be very dangerous.

Side effects of Lovan:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication includenervousness, headache, insomnia, anxiety, tremor, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, increased sweating, diarrhea, seizures, mania, hypomania or mixed manic states, hyponatraemia and the elevation of hepatic enzymes. Lovan can also cause vasculitis in patients with rash leading to lung, kidney and liver failure.