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.
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.
Luvox CR is not approved for use in children. Talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using this drug in children.
Is Luvox CR Used for Off-Label Reasons?
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Luvox CR for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "
off-label" use. At this time, there are several off-label Luvox CR uses, including the treatment of the following conditions:
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