Does Fluvoxamine Contain Acetaminophen? (3 Differences)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 06/02/2024 | Next review date: 06/02/2026

Author bio

Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:

Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Professional Experience:

Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.

With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.

Education:

2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Publications:

▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7

▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60

▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.

https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683

▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.

https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004

▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2

▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.

https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600

Published book Chapter

▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4

Submitted manuscripts Under Review:

▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience

▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine

▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Submitted book chapters under review

1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.

2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press

You can view my works on the following professional sites:

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437

Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159

Ivan Kahwa

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In this article, we will discuss whether Fluvoxamine contains Acetaminophen. We will also discuss the key differences to help you understand the basic pharmacological use of these medications.

Does Fluvoxamine contain Acetaminophen?

No, Fluvoxamine does not contain Acetaminophen. These are two different medications which are used for entirely different health conditions.

Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant primarily used to treat anxiety and depression. Acetaminophen is an OTC pain killer and fever reducer. Acetaminophen can’t do what Fluvoxamine does, and vice versa.

If you need Acetaminophen for your pain and fever, you can get this medication from your local pharmacy. However, if you want FLuvoxamine for your anxiety and depression symptoms, you should consult your healthcare provider.

Make sure you only take the antidepressant that your healthcare provider has prescribed.

What does Fluvoxamine contain?

Fluvoxamine is available under the brand name Luvox. It contains fluvoxamine maleate as an active ingredient. It also contains inactive ingredients such as binding agents, fillers, and colouring agents.

The active ingredient can differ among different brands or generic versions of fluvoxamine.

What are the basic differences between Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen?

Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen are entirely different medications from one another. Fluvoxamine is different from Aspirin in a number of ways:

Mechanism of action

Fluvoxamine belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a mood stabilizer chemical, which can help improve mood and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression (1).

Acetaminophen works by reducing pain and fever through its action on the central nervous system (CNS). It blocks certain chemicals in the brain called prostaglandins, which are responsible for transmitting pain signals and regulating body temperature (2).

By inhibiting the production of Prostaglandins, acetaminophen helps to alleviate pain and lower fever.

Therapeutic uses

Fluvoxamine is used in the treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms. It is approved by the FDA to treat Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (3).

Acetaminophen is primarily used to relieve pain and reduce fever. It reduces different types of pain such as headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, and arthritis pain. It helps to reduce fever, which is a common symptom of many illnesses (4).

Side effect

Common side effects of Fluvoxamine may include (5):

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Tiredness
Excessive sweating
Insomnia

Acetaminophen, on the other hand, is associated with side effects like (6):

Nausea
Stomach upset
Dizziness
Itching
Face swelling

These side effects differ from person to person depending on factors like the patient’s age current symptoms, underlying conditions and dosage of the medication used.

Can Fluvoxamine be taken with Acetaminophen?

It is essential to consult your healthcare provider before taking Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen together.

Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen may interact with one another in certain circumstances or individuals with specific health conditions.

Both medications can affect the liver and their combined use can intensify the risk of liver damage. Acetaminophen can also affect serotonin levels in the brain and combining Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen could increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, however, this is relatively rare.

It is advisable to use Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen together under the guidance of a healthcare provider to avoid potential risks and ensure well-being. Always remember to avoid taking expired medications.

What are the benefits of taking Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen together?

There might be scenarios where a doctor might suggest taking Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen together, such as:

If someone with anxiety experiences pain or fever, acetaminophen might be recommended for symptomatic relief.

Sometimes SSRIs, like Fluvoxamine, might cause headaches or body aches, and Acetaminophen could be advised to manage these symptoms.

Conclusion

In my view and the information available, Fluvoxamine and Acetaminophen are different medications with different active ingredients and mechanisms of action. Fluvoxamine does not contain Acetaminophen. While they can be prescribed together in specific cases, they are not combined within a single medication.

I suggest consulting your healthcare provider to understand the specifics of your treatment and medications.