Fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine is a medication that belongs to the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It was first developed in the 1970s during research aimed at improving treatments for mood and anxiety disorders. Scientists focused on its ability to increase serotonin levels in the brain, a chemical linked to emotional balance. Fluvoxamine became one of the earliest SSRIs to be studied extensively for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). It was first approved for medical use in Switzerland in the early 1980s. Later, it gained approval in several other countries, including the United States in the 1990s. Unlike some SSRIs initially used mainly for depression, fluvoxamine was especially recognized for its effectiveness in OCD. Over time, its use expanded to include other anxiety-related conditions. Continued research helped clarify its safety profile and drug interactions. Today, fluvoxamine remains an important option in psychiatric treatment with a well-established clinical history.