Paxil is used for:
Treating depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized and social anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and panic disorders with or without the fear of being in open or public places. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain, which help to elevate moods.
Do NOT use Paxil(paroxetine) if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Paxil
- you are currently taking a phenothiazine (eg, thioridazine) or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Paxil :
Some medical conditions may interact with Paxil. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of seizures or mania, have thoughts of suicide, or have attempted suicide
- if you have severe liver or kidney disease, an illness that alters your metabolism or blood circulation response, or have had gastrointestinal bleeding
- if you have a history of narrow-angle glaucoma
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Paxil. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Cyproheptadine, risperidone, or sumatriptan because the effectiveness of Paxil may be decreased.
- Anorexiants (eg, phentermine), dextromethorphan, fenfluramine and its derivatives, l-tryptophan, MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), selegiline, St. John's wort, tramadol, beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), buspirone, butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), cimetidine, clonazepam, linezolid, lithium,
metoclopramide, nefazodone, sibutramine, sumatriptan, trazodone, or
zolpidem because side effects such as serotonin syndrome and central
nervous system toxicity may occur.
- Astemizole, dextromethorphan, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), St. John's wort, terfenadine, tramadol, anticholinergics (eg, oxybutynin, scopolamine), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aripiprazole, beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), clozapine, galantamine, H1
antagonists (eg, diphenhydramine), molindone, norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors (eg, atomoxetine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
(NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), pimozide, propafenone, risperidone, selegiline,
trazodone, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because side
effects associated with these medicines may be increased by Paxil(paroxetine)
- Atypical antipsychotics (eg, risperidone), because the risk of thromboembolic events (clots) may be increased
- Barbiturate anesthetics (eg, thiopental) used for anesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) because the risk of spontaneous seizure is increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Paxil may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Paxil(paroxetine) :
Use Paxil(paroxetine) as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Paxil comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Paxil refilled.
- Paxil may be taken on an empty stomach or with food.
- Paxil is usually taken in the morning.
- Symptoms usually improve within 1 to 4 weeks. Continue taking your medicine even though you feel better.
- If you miss a dose of Paxil 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 one 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. If you miss more
than one dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Paxil.
Important safety information:
- Paxil may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Paxil. Using Paxil alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive
or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
- Do NOT suddenly stop taking Paxil. Suddenly stopping Paxil may cause irritability, a state of feeling unwell or unhappy, agitation, dizziness, electric shock sensations, anxiety confusion, headache, lack of energy, mood swings, inability to sleep, or mild mania. If therapy is to be
discontinued, it should be gradually decreased.
- Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some children and teenagers, and possibly adults. This risk may be higher in individuals with bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness), a family history of bipolar illness, or a history of attempting suicide. Pay close attention
to changes in moods or actions, especially if changes occur suddenly.
Contact your health care provider right away if any of the following
effects occur or worsen: depression, anxiety, restlessness or
irritability, panic attacks, thoughts or attempts of suicide, or other
unusual changes in behavior or mood.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Paxil.
- Additional monitoring of your condition is recommended at the start of treatment with Paxil and whenever a change to your dose is made.
- LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep your appointments.
- Paxil is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
- If you experience a prolonged or painful erection, stop using Paxil , and seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems can occur.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Paxil may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Paxil 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.
Possible side effects of Paxil :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Abnormal dreams; abnormal ejaculation; abnormal skin sensations; agitation; anxiety; back pain; blurred vision; constipation; decreased appetite; decreased sex drive; diarrhea; difficulty concentrating; difficulty reaching climax/orgasm; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; female genital disorders; flushing; gas; headache; impotence; inability to sleep; infection
(fever, chills, sore throat); inflamed sinuses; light-headedness; muscle pain;
muscle twitch; nausea; nervousness; painful period; rash; runny nose;
sleepiness; sore throat; stomach pain; sweating; temporary loss of personal
reality; urinary frequency; urination disorder; vomiting; weakness; yawning.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal bleeding; breathing problems; chest pain; extreme mood swings; heart problems; pounding in the chest; prolonged, painful erection; thoughts of hurting yourself; tremors; unusual bleeding or bruising; worsening
of mood or mental state; seizures; worsening of depression.
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