Luvox CR and Insomnia

Luvox CR Medication Information

Does Luvox CR Cause Insomnia?

Insomnia is a common side effect of Luvox^® CR (fluvoxamine CR). In studies, up to 35 percent of people taking the drug for obsessive-compulsive disorder experienced insomnia, compared to 20 percent of those taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients). Up to 32 percent of people taking Luvox CR for social anxiety disorder developed insomnia, compared to just 13 percent of people taking a placebo.

What Is Insomnia?

People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:

Difficulty falling asleep
Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
Waking up too early in the morning
Experiencing non-refreshing or unsatisfying sleep.

Luvox CR and Insomnia: Suggestions

Some tips for better sleep include:

Keep a regular sleep-wake cycle. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the four to six hours before bedtime.
Don't exercise within two hours of bedtime. Exercising five or six hours before bedtime, however, may help you sleep more soundly.
Don't eat large meals within two hours of bedtime.
Don't nap later than 3 p.m.
Sleep in a dark, quiet room with a comfortable temperature.
If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, do a quiet activity somewhere else and return to bed when you're sleepy.
Wind down in the 30 minutes before bedtime with a relaxing pre-sleep ritual, such as a warm bath, soft music, or reading.

(Click Good Sleep Habits for more suggestions.)

If these suggestions do not seem to help, you should talk with your healthcare provider. Insomnia can be a symptom of several medical conditions, or it may be associated with serious Luvox CR side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or behavior.

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