Paxil
Paxil (paroxetine HCI) is a newer class of antidepressant medication known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Disorders like social anxiety and depression may be caused by an imbalance of chemical messengers in the brain. One of these chemical messengers is serotonin. Serotonin helps send electrical signals from one nerve cell to another. In the process, serotonin is released from one nerve cell (the sender) and travels to the next (the receiver), where it is either absorbed or returns back to the original sender cell. When a person suffers from one of these diseases, there may be a problem with the balance of the serotonin system that affects the cell to cell communication.
More information
Tablets Chemical Name: PAROXETINE (pa-ROX-e-teen)
Common uses
Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, panic, attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and generalized anxiety disorders (GAD). SSRI’s work by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters). Paroxetine may also be used to treat a variety of other conditions as determined by your doctor including, severe premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), sexual problems in men (premature ejaculation), nerve problems associated with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), chronic headaches, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Before using
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with paxil medication. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE Paxil if you are also taking fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, astemizole, terfenadine, sibutramine, tramadol, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking clozapine, cyproheptadine, lithium, selegiline, or tricyclic antidepressants. Other drugs besides paroxetine which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Paxil.
Directions
Follow the directions for using Paxil provided by your doctor. Paxil may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE Paxil at room temperature, away from heat and light. CONTINUE TO TAKE Paxil even if you feel better. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF paxil pill and you are taking it in the morning, take it during the afternoon if you remember. If you do not remember until the next morning, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. IF YOU MISS A DOSE and you are taking 1 dose daily at bedtime and do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Cautions
AT LEAST 1 TO 2 WEEKS, and sometimes up to 4 weeks, may pass before Paxil reaches its full effect. Paxil IS NOT RECOMMENDED for use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL PATIENTS, including those under 18, consult with their doctor before stopping Paxil. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING paxil medication without checking with your doctor. paxil drug MAY CAUSE drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to paxil drug. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are taking Paxil. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using paxil medicine during pregnancy. Paxil IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Paxil, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, and dilated pupils.
Additional information
DO NOT SHARE Paxil with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE Paxil for other health conditions. KEEP Paxil out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING Paxil FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
Paxil side effects:
Side effects for Paxil
Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include nervousness, trouble sleeping, headache, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sweating, dizziness, lightheadedness, muscle spasms, or changes in sexual function. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Paxil success stories:
Success stories for Paxil
I was put on Paxil CR with samples from my doc. I was on it for 2 weeks. The good news is, Paxil lifted my depression and anxiety within days. I know they say Paxil takes longer to work, but I really did feel much better within days. I was in a severe and deep depression. Bad news is, the Paxil side effects were very bad. I gained 10 lbs within 2 weeks. I am a severe hypoglycemic, and it sent my blood sugar into a tailspin. I had to eat every 1-2 hopurs or I would get that shakey, fainting feeling only those who suffer from hypoglycemia can relate to. It also gave me MASSIVE headaches and a terrible stiff neck, along with upset stomach. My body just couldn’t tolerate it, and I was at a low dose.
The scary part is, I had only been on Paxil 2 weeks, yet I suffered withdrawal symptoms that took another 2 weeks to begin to lessen. I had to call out of work.
After trying Celexa, Wellbutrin, Amitriptilyne and Effexor, my doctor tried me on Paxil. Paxil gave me tremendous relief for my depression and anxiety and sleep disturbance. The Paxil side effects were weight gain, jaw clenching, restless leg and anorgasmia. I also noticed that it wasn’t quite as effective the week before menstruation and the depression and anxiety came back. My doctor suggested that I double my dose during that time which did work, but made weight gain even higher. After time the jaw clenching went away but the continuous weight gain was bothersome (20 lbs over 9 months in an ordinarily slim body). My doctor just switched me to Lexapro and it doesn’t seem to be working as well as the Paxil but I’m on the lowest Paxil dose. I’m already losing weight with Paxil.
The Paxil was pretty good in helping me feel better, but the Paxil side effects were too much. I just wish I knew then what I know now. Paxil Side effects included weight gain, loss of libido, dry mouth. Withdrawl symptoms that I had from Paxil: disassociation, diarrhea (real fun), bawling spells (not just crying), restlessness, suicidal thoughts, the need to stay in bed all day sleeping or crying, among others. It put my husband through hell. I’ve since stopped taking it, and started Wellbutrin xl, and then stopped taking that as well.
When you’re depressed, it’s hard to concentrate on the job, let alone keep one. So in turn when you don’t have insurance, the benefits of an antidepressant don’t balance out. Paxil cost is horrendous!
I’ve since turned to herbal supplements, including 5 HTP (hydroxytryptophan), B-complex, regular multivitamins, and pantothenic acid. I’ve been feeling great, there are no sexual side effects, and I have lost weight. There are no regrets here.
