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Brand Name: Paxil®
Generic Name: Paroxetine
(pa rox' e teen)
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Why is paxil prescribed?
Paxil (Paroxetine) tablets, suspension (liquid) and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat depression, panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Paxil tablets and oral solution are also used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), generalized anxiety disorder (excessive worrying that is difficult to control), and posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience). Paxil extended-release tablets are also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD, physical and psychological symptoms that occur before the onset of the menstrual period each month). Paroxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
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How should paxil be used properly?
Paroxetine (Paxil) comes as a tablet, a suspension (liquid), and a controlled-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food. You may want to take paroxetine with food to stop it from upsetting your stomach. To help you remember to take paroxetine, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take paroxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of paroxetine and gradually increase your dose, not more than once a week.
Paroxetine controls your condition but does not cure it. It may take several weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of paroxetine. Continue to take paroxetine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking paroxetine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking paroxetine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as depression; mood changes; frenzied or abnormally excited mood; irritability; anxiety; confusion; dizziness; headache; tiredness; numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet; unusual dreams; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; upset stomach; or sweating. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms when your dose of paroxetine is decreased.
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What are the common uses for paxil?
Paroxetine is also sometimes used to treat chronic headaches, tingling in the hands and feet caused by diabetes, and certain male sexual problems. Paroxetine is also used with other medications to treat bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited ). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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What special precautions should I follow when using paxil?
Before taking paroxetine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to paroxetine or any other medications.
- do not take paroxetine if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks. If you stop taking paroxetine, you should wait at least 2 weeks before you start to take an MAO inhibitor. Do not take paroxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril).
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, and vitamins you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); antihistamines; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); atazanavir (Reyataz); bromocriptine (Parlodel); bupropion (Wellbutrin); buspirone (Buspar); celecoxib (Celebrex); chlorpromazine (Thorazine); cimetidine (Tagamet); clopidogrel (Plavix); codeine (found in many cough and pain medications); dexamethasone (Decadron); dextromethorphan (found in many cough medications); diazepam (Valium); dicloxacillin (Dynapen); digoxin (Lanoxin); dipyridamole (Persantine); diuretics ('water pills'); haloperidol (Haldol); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), encainide (Enkaid), flecainide (Tambocor), mexiletine (Mexitil), moricizine (Ethmozine): propafenone (Rythmol), and quinidine (Quinidex); medications for mental illness and nausea; medications for seizures such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton) and phenytoin (Dilantin); meperidine (Demerol); methadone (Dolophine); metoclopromide (Reglan); metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); odansetron (Zofran); other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); and sertraline (Zoloft); pimozide (Orap); procyclidine (Kemadrin); propoxyphene (Darvon); propranolol (Inderal); ranitidine (Zantac); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); risperidone (Risperdal); ritonavir (Norvir); sumatriptan (Imitrex); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); terbinafine (Lamisil); theopylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur); ticlopidine (Ticlid); timolol (Blocadren); tramadol (Ultram); trazodone (Desyrel); and venlafaxine (Effexor). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor what herbal products and nutritional supplements you are taking, especially St. John's wort and tryptophan.
- tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family have or have ever had depression, mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or bipolar disorder or have ever attempted suicide. Also tell your doctor if you use or have ever used street drugs or have overused prescription medications, if you have recently had a heart attack, and if you have or have ever had glaucoma (an eye disease); seizures; bleeding from your stomach or esphagus (tube that connects the mouth and stomach) or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking paroxetine, call your doctor.
- you should know that paroxetine may make you drowsy and affect your judgment and thinking. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking paroxetine.
- you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you have depression or another mental illness, whether or not you are taking paroxetine or any other medication. You, your family, or caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself, or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive behavior; irritability; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
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What special dietary instructions should I follow while taking paxil?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
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What should I do if I forget a dose of paxil?
You should take the missed dose of paxil just as soon as you remember to take it. Unless, it is almost time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Never take a double dose of your medication to make up for a missed one.
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What side effects can paxil cause?
Paroxetine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- pain in the back, muscles, joints, or anywhere in the body
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- changes in ability to taste food
- muscle weakness or tightness
- sleepiness or feeling "drugged"
- changes in sex drive or ability
- lump or tightness in throat
- difficulty concentrating
- problems with teeth
- decreased appetite
- weight loss or gain
- sensitivity to light
- unusual dreams
- upset stomach
- stomach pain
- nervousness
- forgetfulness
- constipation
- runny nose
- dry mouth
- weakness
- headache
- dizziness
- confusion
- heartburn
- sweating
- yawning
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- flushing
- cough
- gas
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- sudden upset stomach, vomiting, weakness, cramping, bloating, swelling, tightness in hands and feet, dizziness, headache and/or confusion
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- sudden muscle twitching or jerking that you cannot control
- numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, arms, or legs
- sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
- swelling, itching, burning, or infection in the vagina
- vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds
- shaking hands that you cannot control
- rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- difficult, frequent, or painful urination
- painful erection that lasts for hours
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- abnormal bleeding or bruising
- black and tarry stools
- red blood in stools
- blurred vision
- bloody vomit
- hoarseness
- chest pain
- skin rash
- seizure
- itching
- hives
Paroxetine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
» top What storage conditions are needed for paxil?
Always keep the paxil in the same container it came in. Make sure it is tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store this medication at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture; do not store this medication in the bathroom.
Always be sure to dispose of any medication that is no longer needed or outdated. Be sure to ask your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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What do I do in case of emergency or an paxil overdose?
In case of an accutane overdose, be sure to call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim is not breathing or has collapsed, dial 911 for local emergency services.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- sudden muscle twitching or jerking that you cannot control
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- fast, pounding, irregular, or slow heartbeat
- shaking hands that you cannot control
- muscle pain, stiffness or weakness
- frenzied, abnormally excited mood
- yellowing of the skin and eyes
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- dark red or brown urine
- aggressive behavior
- extreme tiredness
- flu like symptoms
- difficulty urinating
- difficulty walking
- loss of appetite
- upset stomach
- lack of energy
- blurred vision
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- confusion
- sweating
- seizures
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- fainting
- coma
- fever
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What other information should I know about paxil?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only; please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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