Generic Name: Paroxetine (pa-ROX-e-teen)
Typical Brand Name(s): Paxil
What Is It Used For?
Paxil is most commonly used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social
anxiety disorder (social phobia), and posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Paxil may also be used for purposes other than those listed
here.
How Is It Used?
Take Paxil exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose
with water. Swallow the controlled-release tablets (Paxil CR)
whole, without crushing or chewing. They are specially formulated
to release the medication slowly in the body. Paxil may be taken
with or without food. Try to take Paxil at the same time each
day. Do not stop taking Paxil without first talking to your doctor.
It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and
unpleasant side effects may be experienced if you stop taking
Paxil suddenly.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
Stop taking Paxil and contact your doctor immediately or seek
emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following:an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular
heartbeat or pulse;low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high
blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); unusual bleeding
or bruising; or fever or chills. Less serious side effects may
be more likely to occur. Continue to take Paxil and talk to your
doctor if you experience headache; tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
Is It Safe?
You may not be able to take Paxil, or you may need a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. Paxil is in the FDA pregnancy category
C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful
to an unborn baby. Do not take Paxil without first talking to
your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment. Paxil passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing
baby. Do not take Paxil without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
Do not take Paxil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and
sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines
have been used together. Also, do not take Paxil if you are taking
thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats
may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait
5 weeks after stopping Paxil before taking thioridazine (Mellaril).
Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you have liver disease,
kidney disease, seizures or epilepsy, or a manic disorder or suicidal
thoughts. Do not take Paxil without first talking to your doctor
if you are pregnant, could become pregnant during treatment or
breast-feeding a baby.
What If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed
dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose
of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
How Should It Be Stored?
Store it at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Paxil is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors. Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become
unbalanced and cause depression, panic or anxiety, or obsessive
or compulsive symptoms. Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social
anxiety disorder (social phobia), posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or
effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
taking the product.
