Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LUVOX CR versus SARAFEM.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LUVOX CR versus SARAFEM.
LUVOX CR vs SARAFEM
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); increases serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft by blocking serotonin reuptake transporters (SERT).
SARAFEM (fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic neuronal membrane, enhancing serotonin effects in the synaptic cleft.
100-300 mg orally once daily at bedtime
10-20 mg orally once daily initially, may increase to 40 mg/day after 3 weeks if needed; maximum 80 mg/day
None Documented
None Documented
The terminal elimination half-life is approximately 15-20 hours after single doses and 17-26 hours after multiple doses. This supports once-daily dosing, with steady-state achieved within 1-2 weeks.
Fluoxetine: 4-6 days after single dose, 4-16 days after chronic dosing; norfluoxetine: 4-16 days after single dose, up to 16-20 days after chronic dosing. The long half-life minimizes withdrawal symptoms and allows for once-weekly dosing.
Approximately 94% of a dose is excreted in urine, with less than 4% as unchanged drug. The remainder is eliminated in feces. Renal excretion of metabolites accounts for the majority of elimination.
Primarily renal excretion of fluoxetine (10%) and its active metabolite norfluoxetine (7.5%) as unchanged drug; the remainder is excreted as conjugates and other metabolites. Approximately 2.5% is excreted in feces.
Category C
Category C
SSRI Antidepressant
SSRI Antidepressant