Paxil Side Effects and Precautions

Paxil Side Effects and Precautions Panic Disorder Treatment Print Paxil Information, Dosage, and Side Effects By Sheryl Ankrom linkedin Sheryl Ankrom is a clinical professional counselor and nationally certified clinical mental health counselor specializing in anxiety disorders. Learn about our editorial policy Sheryl Ankrom Updated on January 23, 2020 Joe Raedle / Staff / Getty Images More in Panic Disorder Treatment Symptoms Diagnosis Coping Related Conditions In This Article Table of Contents Expand Dosage Information Side Effects How Long Paxil Takes to Work Is Paxil Addictive? If You Miss a Dose Precautions/Contraindications Serotonin Syndrome SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome FDA Black Box Warning View All Back To Top Paxil (paroxetine) is an SSRI antidepressant introduced in 1992 by GlaxoSmithKline.?? Paxil was the first formally approved SSRI for the treatment of panic disorder in the United States. Paxil is available in a generic equivalent, paroxetine, and is indicated for the treatment of: panic disorder with or without agoraphobiamajor depressive disorderobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)social anxiety disordergeneralized anxiety disorder Dosage Information Paxil, and its generic equivalent, paroxetine, are manufactured in scored tablets of 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg. It is also available in a liquid oral solution. Your doctor may begin therapy with a low dose that may be increased if your symptoms do not improve. Starting at a low dose can also minimize some of these side effects because it gives your body time to adjust to the medication. Paxil (paroxetine) is usually taken once each day and may be taken with or without food. Paxil CR is a controlled-release formula that works by taking a single dose that processes in the body throughout the day. Paxil CR is manufactured in tablets of 12.5, 25, and 37.5 mg. Side Effects Some of the common side effects associated with Paxil therapy include:?? WeaknessDrowsinessDizzinessNauseaAnxiety or nervousnessDry mouthInsomniaConstipation or diarrheaIncreased sweatingDecreased libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory/orgasmic inability or delay. Some people experience a reduction in some of these side effects after being on the medication for a while. If they remain bothersome, though, you should consult with your doctor. If you experience any of the following less common side effects, you should call your doctor right away: Agitation or irritabilityRestlessnessImpulsivenessHyperactivityTremorsMemory problems You should get emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following rare, but serious, side effects:?? Allergic reactionâ€"difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips or tongue or difficulty swallowing.SeizuresProblems with balance or coordinationConfusionHallucinationsRacing or abnormal heart rateFaintingSuicidal thoughts These are not the only side effects that may be experienced with paroxetine. You should report any bothersome side effects to your doctor or other healthcare professional. How Long Paxil Takes to Work Some people experience some improvement in symptoms within one or two weeks of starting paroxetine. The full therapeutic effect, however, may not be achieved for about eight weeks. Is Paxil Addictive? Paxil is not believed to be addictive or habit-forming. If You Miss a Dose If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s nearly time to take your next dose. Do not take extra Paxil to make up the missed dose. Precautions and Contraindications Pregnancy. Recent studies have linked Paxil to an increased risk of birth defects, particularly heart defects when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy.?? Some of these defects are mild and resolve without intervention, but some may be quite serious. It has also been suggested that exposure to SSRIs during late pregnancy may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension, a serious lung disorder, in a newborn.?? If you are nursing or are pregnant, it is best to discuss the risks and benefits of SSRI therapy with your doctor. NSAIDs or Aspirin. Use of Paxil with NSAIDs or aspirin may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding.?? Liver Disease. Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you have impaired liver function. Depending on your condition, your doctor may need to adjust your dose and perform certain tests while on Paxil therapy. Alcohol. Drinking alcohol with Paxil should be avoided. This list is not all-inclusive. Other drug interactions should be avoided and medical issues your doctor may need to consider. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, you are taking before beginning paroxetine. Serotonin Syndrome Any SSRI antidepressant has a risk of producing a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.?? This rare condition is usually the result of an interaction of two or more drugs that affect brain serotonin levels. Even some over-the-counter supplements, such as St. John’s Wort, can result in serotonin syndrome if mixed with SSRIs. A particularly troublesome interaction is mixing SSRIs with a class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which should not be taken with SSRIs. It is recommended that Paxil is avoided for two weeks before or after using an MAOI. SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome Before discontinuing Paxil, talk with your doctor. Some people have reported withdrawal-like symptoms when decreasing or stopping SSRI therapy. It is believed that these symptoms are the result of the brain trying to stabilize serotonin levels after an abrupt change. Symptoms that may occur during discontinuation of any SSRI therapy include:?? NauseaHeadacheMuscle AchesDizzinessElectric shock-like sensations in the neck and head While all of these symptoms are not believed to be dangerous, they can be quite upsetting. When discontinuing an SSRI, your doctor may give you a gradual reduction schedule to avoid these withdrawal-like symptoms. FDA Black Box Warning The association of increased suicidal thoughts, especially among adolescents with SSRI treatment, has been a center of attention and controversy in recent years.?? In response to the concerns suggested in case studies and some research?, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement in 2007?. The FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications indicate a warning on their products about a possible increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in young adults, ages 18 to 24, during the initial treatment.??