Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) primarily used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. It is often prescribed to individuals who have trouble taking their medication for depression. When taken in a dose that works, Paxil is highly effective in treating depression.
In some cases, Paxil may be prescribed to individuals who have not responded to other antidepressants.
While Paxil is generally well-tolerated, it may cause a number of common side effects that can include:
Paxil should be taken with a full glass of water, which is not to be confused with tap water.
If you are taking Paxil, your healthcare provider will start you on a low dose and adjust the dosage based on your response and tolerability.
Paxil can interact with other drugs that affect serotonin, such as:
When Paxil is taken with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as Zoloft, Paxil may increase the chance of serotonin syndrome, a potentially dangerous reaction to Paxil.
Paxil may interact with other drugs that affect serotonin, such as:
Some drugs, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine, can interact with Paxil. These include:
It’s important to note that Paxil may not be effective in treating all types of depression.
If you are taking Paxil, your healthcare provider will start you on a low dose and adjust your dosage based on your response and tolerability.
Paxil may interact with other medications that affect serotonin, such as:
Some drugs, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Trintellix), clomipramine (Anafranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)
If you’re taking Paxil, your healthcare provider will slowly decrease the dosage and adjust your dose based on your response and tolerability.
If you are taking Paxil, your healthcare provider will gradually increase your dosage and gradually decrease your dose depending on how you react to Paxil.
Health care providers prescribe Paxil to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, and other mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that negatively affects how you think, behave, and feel. Untreated depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical issues. The symptoms of depression may vary from person to person. They may appear mild in some, while they can be debilitating in others.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition that causes unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts or fears (obsessions). These obsessive thoughts lead individuals to engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Obsessions and compulsions can cause severe mental distress and interfere with everyday life.
Bulimia nervosa, commonly referred to as bulimia," is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder. Those with bulimia will go through episodes of “binge eating,” where they cannot control the amount of food they eat, followed by “purging.” Bulimia, if left untreated, can lead to extremely serious medical complications—even death. Due to the cycle of binging and purging, individuals with bulimia can seriously dehydrate themselves, damage their internal organs (including the heart and kidneys), and erode the enamel of their teeth.
Premenstrual dysphoria disorder is characterized by severe symptoms at the onset of menstruation. PMDD can cause extreme mood swings, irritability, depression, and physical symptoms like breast tenderness.
Paxil is also prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. A person who suffers from an anxiety disorder may have constant feelings of worry, difficulty concentrating, and an inability to relax. If left untreated, anxiety may eventually interfere with work or school performance, personal relationships, and other daily functions.
dehydrationThe most common side effects of taking Paxil are stomach upset, feeling tired, shaky, confused, drowsy, and tired. These symptoms usually settle as the medicine metabolizes the active ingredient, paxil, leading many to miss a dose or skip doses. If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Paxil can cause serious side effects, including:
If you are experiencing any of the following side effects, stop taking Paxil and contact your doctor immediately:
The typical starting dose of Paxil for most adults is 5 mg to 10 mg every 4 to 6 hours for a total of 10 to 14 hours. However, there are several tablet strengths available, and a doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose of Paxil to:
The Paxil Patient Information section of the Patient Information leaflet will assist you in choosing the dosage, and detailed instructions for how to take Paxil.
Paxil Prescription: A Medication: A Prescription: A Prescription: PrescriptionThe most common side effects of taking Paxil are stomach upset, feeling tired, and feeling lightheaded, short of breath, and watering my face.
Paroxetine is a common prescription drug for the treatment of major depressive disorder. The most common use of paroxetine in the United States is to treat depression (depression). It is also prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD-OCD).
The most common side effects of paroxetine include:
If you are taking paroxetine as a treatment for depression, it is important to inform your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking. Your healthcare provider will determine whether paroxetine is safe for you to take. In some cases, it may not be suitable for you if you are taking other medications that are known to cause side effects.
For more information about the side effects of paroxetine, it is important to talk with your healthcare provider about your medical history, including any of the following:
If you are taking paroxetine as a treatment for depression, you should talk with your healthcare provider about your options. They will determine whether paroxetine is safe for you to take. The healthcare provider will consider your medical history, your age, your mental health, your current medications, and your overall health.
To learn more about the risks and benefits of using paroxetine for the treatment of depression, read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). It will give you the information you need to make the decision that best suits your specific needs.
Patient Information for Paxil
Paxil is a medication used to treat major depressive disorder. It helps reduce the symptoms of depression and is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Paxil is available as a prescription-only medication. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider about any concerns you may have about the drug before starting treatment. Your healthcare provider will determine whether Paxil is safe for you to take. If you have concerns about Paxil, contact your healthcare provider or other healthcare providers who can provide guidance.
ReferencesWhat is Paxil?
Paxil (paroxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that's most commonly used for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other mental health conditions, including depression, panic attacks, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
This medication can be taken orally, with or without food, but is often more effective when taken at the first sign of an increase in interest in sex. The typical starting dose is 50 milligrams (mg) per day, but your doctor may adjust this to a smaller dosage of 25 mg or 100 mg, depending on your specific needs and response.
Paxil works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which helps to reduce feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression. It may take several weeks for Paxil to start to work, but it usually takes you and your doctor a few weeks to notice a significant improvement in your symptoms.
If you're interested in using Paxil to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, you'll first need to know the proper dosage and how to take it. The doctor may recommend taking Paxil at a higher dosage or at a lower dose to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder or other mental health conditions.
When you first start taking Paxil, you may experience nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, or anxiety during treatment. If these effects last or persist, you should contact your doctor. They can adjust your dosage and offer you more information about how to take Paxil.
Paxil may cause some side effects, including:
If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Paxil, you should contact your doctor immediately.
It's important to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and before starting treatment that your condition might be a barrier to treatment. In such a case, you may want to talk to your doctor about changing your dose or exploring other treatment options.
If you develop symptoms of an illness that is affecting your sexual health or that doesn't go away, you should contact your doctor or seek treatment. These symptoms may include:
Sexual problems can be a symptom of an illness or condition you're taking medication to treat. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately:
It's important to note that Paxil and other SSRIs may not work for everyone. If you have any of these conditions, you should contact your doctor immediately:
Paxil may make you feel nauseated, nauseous, or having vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
If you notice any side effects that bother you or become bothersome, you should contact your doctor immediately.