Dumirox

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Dumirox

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Dumirox

Property Description
Active ingredient Fluvoxamine Maleate
Form Film-coated tablets, extended-release capsules
Pharmacological class Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Origin Synthetic compound

Dumirox is a synthetic psychotropic medication that contains Fluvoxamine Maleate as its single active ingredient. It is classified as an antidepressant and, more specifically, belongs to the class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). The SSRI designation indicates the medication is a compound with a highly targeted action profile. It is a prescription medicine (Rx status) and not available over the counter.


Defining the Pharmacological Class and Composition

Fluvoxamine is a second-generation antidepressant that functions as a single-agent product and is a key component of psychopharmacology. The medication utilizes the Fluvoxamine Maleate chemical structure, defining its function as highly selective for the serotonin transporter (SERT). The medication is recognized for its clinical utility in managing mental health conditions and is included in standard health practice.


General Purpose and Mechanism Principle

The overarching purpose of Fluvoxamine is to help restore a more stable and balanced level of serotonin in the central nervous system. This function is achieved through the selective inhibition of 5-HT reuptake, a mechanism that effectively increases the amount of active serotonin available to signal nerve cells. By potentiation of serotonergic activity, the medication is intended to influence and stabilize persistent mood disturbances, emotional distress, and intrusive mental patterns. A typical, neutral use scenario involves the sustained stabilization of emotional processing in adult patients.


Formulations and Physical Identity

Dumirox is an oral dosage form, typically available as film-coated tablets or as extended-release capsules. These solid forms are intended for systemic action following administration by mouth. Both forms utilize various solid pharmaceutical excipients as the base/vehicle to deliver the active ingredient systemically. The primary difference between the film-coated tablet and the extended-release capsule is the rate at which the Fluvoxamine Maleate is released and absorbed into the body, providing a key differentiating factor in its administration profile.

Regulatory References

  1. WHO Essential Medicines List

What side effects are possible with Dumirox?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Official regulatory documents classify the adverse reactions associated with Dumirox (fluvoxamine) primarily by their frequency and the body system affected (System Organ Class).

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions that are considered Very Common (occurring in 10% or more of patients) typically involve the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. These include nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia (indigestion), headache, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, fatigue, and asthenia (weakness).

Common reactions (occurring in 1% to less than 10%) can include anorexia, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, somnolence (drowsiness), tremor, agitation, sweating, and reduced libido.

Serious Safety Information and Restrictions

Boxed Warning: The labeling for Dumirox contains a Boxed Warning regarding the increased risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior (Suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18–24) when starting the medicine or when the dosage is changed. Patients should be closely monitored for changes in behavior.

Clinically significant and Rare adverse reactions include potentially life-threatening conditions such as Serotonin Syndrome, which may involve rapid changes in mental status, high fever, and muscle stiffness. Other rare, severe reactions include Hyponatremia (dangerously low blood sodium levels) and Seizures.

Contraindications: Dumirox is strictly contraindicated for concurrent use with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the risk of developing Serotonin Syndrome. Caution is advised for use in specific populations, such as the elderly, who may be at a higher risk for hyponatremia, and in patients with pre-existing liver impairment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official regulatory profile for Fluvoxamine Maleate overdose is defined by documenting the expected clinical manifestations and the required emergency response actions.

Documented Overdose Presentations

Symptoms reported in regulatory documents often involve the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Gastrointestinal systems. Manifestations may include somnolence (drowsiness), agitation, confusion, tremor, sweating, tachycardia (fast heartbeat), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Severe or life-threatening outcomes have been documented and include seizures, coma (loss of consciousness), and the potentially fatal condition of Serotonin Syndrome. While overdose severity can be variable, fatal outcomes have been reported, particularly when the medicine was ingested in combination with other substances. The regulatory guidance notes that no specific antidote is known for this overdose.

Emergency Actions Mandated by Regulators

Seek immediate medical attention for any suspected overdose. The government-stated instruction is to call emergency services (911) immediately if the affected person has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened. Contacting a poison control helpline is also advised.

Management is limited to symptomatic and supportive treatment. Medical procedures that may be considered include maintaining an open airway, continuous monitoring of vital signs, and the administration of activated charcoal or gastric lavage by healthcare professionals to minimize absorption.

Therapeutic Uses of Dumirox

What Dumirox Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Dumirox (Fluvoxamine Maleate) is generally used to help manage symptoms that interfere with daily functioning across several domains of psychiatric care. The medication is relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, applied across therapeutic areas where additional symptomatic support is needed.

It is commonly used across conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms such as those involving compulsive phenomena, excessive fear, panic, and emotional instability. It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, such as unwanted, recurrent thoughts and ritualized, repetitive actions. It is applied in addressing symptom clusters during phases when symptoms become more noticeable.

It supports patients during difficult episodes by easing distress and contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms.


Quick Fact: Support for Compulsive Behaviors and Excessive Fear

Quick Fact: Support for Compulsive Behaviors and Excessive Fear. It may assist with maintaining functional stability by helping to ease the overall symptom load of intrusive symptoms, making it relevant in settings involving recurrent or episodic manifestations.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Dumirox?

Eligibility for Dumirox (Fluvoxamine Maleate) is determined by official regulatory bodies and is defined by specific population rules, comorbidities, and concurrent medications. The following information reflects documented criteria for use.

Category Official Regulatory Status
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Patients using MAOIs (including linezolid/methylene blue) or within 14 days of stopping one. Co-administration with Tizanidine, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Alosetron, or Ramelteon is also contraindicated.
Age-related eligibility rules Adults are approved for labeled indications. Children 8 to 17 years are approved for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Use is not established in children under 8 years. Older Adults require slower dose titration due to reduced clearance.
Condition-specific eligibility rules Patients with hepatic impairment require a lower starting dose and cautious titration. Use requires caution in those with a history of seizures or narrow-angle glaucoma.
Pregnancy and lactation status Pregnancy: Generally not recommended; use only if the benefit outweighs the risk. Lactation: Fluvoxamine is secreted into human breast milk and is not recommended while breastfeeding.

These official statements structure who is permitted to use the drug, who is strictly prohibited (contraindicated), and who must only use the drug under restricted, cautious conditions defined by governmental labeling.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Dumirox (fluvoxamine) can affect the levels of co-administered medicines, primarily through its documented action as a strong inhibitor of the CYP1A2 enzyme, in addition to inhibiting CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4. This pharmacokinetic mechanism can significantly increase the exposure of drugs metabolized by these systems.

Interaction Classification Interacting Agents (Examples)
Contraindicated (Do not use) Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), Tizanidine, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Alosetron, Ramelteon.
Serotonergic Risk (Monitor closely) Triptans, Tricyclic Antidepressants, Fentanyl, Lithium, Tramadol, Tryptophan.
Bleeding Risk (Monitor closely) Warfarin, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Aspirin, and other agents affecting hemostasis.
Increased Plasma Levels (Dose adjustment required) Theophylline, Clozapine, Methadone, Mexiletine, Propranolol, Metoprolol, certain benzodiazepines (e.g., Diazepam).

Co-administration with MAOIs is forbidden, requiring a 14-day washout period when switching between these drug classes. For drugs primarily metabolized by CYP1A2, such as Theophylline, regulatory documents state that a significant dose reduction may be necessary. The combined use of other serotonergic medicines is associated with a risk of Serotonin Syndrome, mandating patient monitoring. Furthermore, concurrent use with anticoagulants like Warfarin requires close monitoring of blood coagulation parameters.

Mechanism of Action

Serotonin Transporter Inhibition

This medication's primary mechanism involves acting as a selective inhibitor of the Serotonin Transporter (SERT) protein, which is integral to the reuptake process in presynaptic neurons. By binding to and blocking the SERT, the drug prevents the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin from the synaptic cleft back into the nerve terminal. This action results in a sustained increase in the extracellular concentration of serotonin, thereby enhancing and prolonging signal transmission across serotonergic pathways in the Central Nervous System.

Sigma-1 Receptor Modulation

In addition to the primary effect, the drug engages the Sigma-1 Receptor (sigma1-R), which is an intracellular protein primarily located in the endoplasmic reticulum. The drug acts as a modulator at the sigma1-R. This interaction influences the cell's intrinsic capacity to manage internal stress and modulates the release and uptake of various neurotransmitters. The engagement of this complementary pathway contributes to the overall effect profile by affecting signaling patterns and intracellular regulatory processes associated with emotional processes.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Dumirox

Fluvoxamine Maleate, the active ingredient in Dumirox, is administered exclusively via the oral route and is available in both immediate-release tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg) and extended-release capsules (100 mg, 150 mg). The official usage guidelines dictate the patterns for initiation, maintenance, and cessation of treatment.

Treatment typically begins with a low starting dose (e.g., 50 mg once daily for adults) taken at bedtime, after which the dose is designed to be gradually adjusted via titration, increasing in 50 mg increments every four to seven days, depending on patient response. The maximum recommended daily dose for adults is 300 mg.

When the total daily dose exceeds a certain threshold—such as 100 mg or 150 mg—the administration schedule requires the dose to be divided into two administrations, with the larger portion generally taken in the evening. The tablets may be taken with or without food. A key procedural constraint for the extended-release capsules is the mandatory instruction that they must not be crushed, broken, or chewed to preserve their controlled release profile.

Specific population rules apply, mandating that older adults and individuals with hepatic impairment begin with a lower dose and follow a slow titration schedule. Furthermore, official guidelines require that the dose be adjusted to maintain the lowest effective dose throughout long-term use. Treatment cessation is strictly governed by the procedural requirement for a gradual dose reduction (tapering), as opposed to abrupt discontinuation.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Dumirox: Recent Clinical Evidence

Effectiveness in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Research has extensively evaluated fluvoxamine (the active ingredient in Dumirox) for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in both adults and children. Short-term, placebo-controlled trials indicated a measured difference in symptom severity, typically showing a modest magnitude of effect in the range of 100 mg to 300 mg daily doses.

Findings in Depression and Anxiety

Studies have also examined the therapeutic activity of fluvoxamine in treating Major Depressive Episode and various anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Clinical trials reported effects within one to two weeks, with continued measured improvements observed through four to six weeks of treatment.

Combination Therapy

A comparison of fluvoxamine to older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) was included in some studies, with findings suggesting that fluvoxamine's efficacy for depression was comparable to that of certain TCAs. There is currently limited reliable evidence for long-term efficacy (beyond one year) in OCD and depression across most studies.

Safety and Tolerability Profile

Safety data, analyzed across numerous worldwide studies, reported that the most frequently observed side effect was nausea, with an incidence rate of approximately 16%. The overall safety profile, compared to older classes of antidepressants, suggested a more favorable profile regarding cardiotoxic and anticholinergic side effects in the context of these specific trials. Serious adverse events were reported to occur at a low rate.

Key Studies & References

  1. Efficacy and tolerability of fluvoxamine in the treatment of adult outpatients with major depressive disorder: a review of clinical trials
  2. NICE Guideline [NG222]: Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: treatment for children and young people

How should Dumirox be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Dumirox (Fluvoxamine Maleate)

Storage Scope Requirements
Temperature Store at controlled room temperature.
Protection Protect from moisture and excessive heat. Do not store in the bathroom.
Container Must be kept in the original container and be tightly closed.
Child Safety Keep out of the sight and reach of children; safety caps must be locked.

Disposal Requirements

The preferred disposal method is utilizing an official drug take-back program. If a take-back option is unavailable, the product must be mixed with an unappealing substance, sealed in a bag, and discarded in the household trash. All personal information should be scratched out from the original packaging prior to disposal.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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