Active ingredient: Fluvoxamine

Brand Name: Luvox, Luvox CR

Drug class: Antidepressant, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Mechanism of Action:

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) primarily used to treat depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Fluvoxamine works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, increasing serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood. SSRIs like fluvoxamine are also associated with an increase in allopregnanolone levels, a neurosteroid synthesized from progesterone, which plays a role in regulating reproductive functions.

Effect on fertility biomarkers

Fluvoxamine may cause hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities, which can affect fertility. The increase in allopregnanolone may influence reproductive processes, although the exact impact on fertility is not fully understood. In rare cases, fluvoxamine might interfere with ovulation by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Like other SSRIs, fluvoxamine may lead to sexual dysfunction, such as reduced libido.

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References:

Uzunova V, Wrynn AS, Kinnunen A, Ceci M, Kohler C and Uzunov DP (2004). Chronic antidepressants reverse cerebrocortical allopregnanolone decline in the olfactory bulbectomized rat. Eur J Pharmacol. 486(1): 31–34 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14751405/ Jacobsen, N. W., Hansen, C. H., Nellemann, C., Styrishave, B., & Halling-Sørensen, B. (2015). Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on three sex steroids in two versions of the aromatase enzyme inhibition assay and in the H295R cell assay. Toxicology in Vitro, 29(8), 1720-1725 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887233315001666?via%3Dihub Timby E, Hedström H, Bäckström T, Sundström-Poromaa I, Nyberg S and Bixo M (2011). Allopregnanolone, a GABAA receptor agonist, decreases gonadotropin levels in women. A preliminary study. Gynecol Endocrinol Off J Int Soc Gynecol Endocrinol. 27(12): 1087–1093. DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2010.540603 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21190418/

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Disclaimer: The information provided may not include all possible interactions or side effects of medication. The effects on fertility biomarkers can vary and may depend on the dosage, how long the medication is used, the medical condition, or other factors. This database is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified health professional if you have questions about medications, fertility, or medical conditions.