Luvox and Insomnia

In previous clinical studies, up to 21 percent of people taking Luvox reported insomnia as a side effect of the medication. If you are taking Luvox and insomnia becomes a problem, there are a number of things that you can do. Among the things you can do to help insomnia are avoiding large meals within two hours of bedtime and napping no later than 3 p.m. You should also be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you experience insomnia while taking Luvox.

 

Luvox and Insomnia: An Introduction

Insomnia is the one of the more common side effects of Luvox® (fluvoxamine maleate). In previous studies, up to 21 percent of people taking Luvox experienced insomnia, compared to 10 percent of those not taking Luvox.
 

What Is Insomnia?

People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:
 
  • Having difficulty falling asleep
  • Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
  • Waking up too early in the morning
  • Having unrefreshing sleep.
     

Luvox and Insomnia: Suggestions

Some people taking Luvox find that improving their sleep habits can be an effective
 insomnia cure. Some tips for better sleep include:
 
  • Keeping a regular sleep-wake cycle. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day.
     
  • Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the four to six hours before bedtime.
     
  • Avoiding exercise within two hours of bedtime. Exercising five or six hours before bedtime may help you sleep more soundly.
     
  • Avoiding large meals within two hours of bedtime.
     
  • Refraining from taking a nap later than 3 p.m.
     
  • Sleeping in a dark, quiet room at a comfortable temperature.
     
  • Doing a quiet activity somewhere else if you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes. Return to bed when you're sleepy.
     
  • Winding 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.)
 
(Luvox and Insomnia Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;