Luvox CR Uses

Using Luvox CR for OCD

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer intensely from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions) that they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as handwashing, counting, checking something, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them greatly increases anxiety. The exact cause or causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder are not fully known at this time.

 

Luvox CR is approved for OCD treatment in adults. Although medications are effective for treating the symptoms of OCD, behavior therapy is often used along with medications. Ask your healthcare provider about behavior therapy for OCD.

 

How Does Luvox CR Work?

Luvox CR belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs for short. SSRIs act on a specific chemical within the brain known as serotonin. Serotonin is one of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.

 

As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release serotonin. The serotonin enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any unused serotonin that remains in the gap between cells. This is called "reuptake."

 

Normally, this process works without any problems. However, when the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, it can cause a variety of conditions, including OCD and social anxiety disorder. Luvox CR helps to block the reuptake of serotonin, causing more to remain in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the serotonin a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell, restoring a more normal serotonin balance.