Paxil Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Paroxetine hydrochloride

Paxil is an antidepressant in a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. PAROXETINE (Paxil®, Paxil® CR™, Pexeva™) is classified as an antidepressant. It also helps to improve a person's mood by treating depression. Paroxetine can also help people with anxiety problems like social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress. Paroxetine may also be prescribed for other purposes, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Paxil Dosage

• For depression, the usual starting dose is 20 milligrams a day, taken as a single dose, usually in the morning.
• For obsessive-compulsive disorder, the usual starting dose is 20 milligrams a day, typically taken in the morning. At intervals of at least 1 week, your doctor may also increase the dosage by 10 milligrams a day. The maximum is 60 milligrams a day.
• For panic disorder, the usual starting dose is 10 milligrams a day, taken in the morning. At intervals of 1 week or more, the doctor may increase the dose by 10 milligrams a day. The target dose is 40 milligrams daily and dosage should never exceed 60 milligrams.

Uses of Paxil

• Paxil is used to treat depression and various type of disorders including such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
• It may also be used for other medical conditions those are listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Paxil

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Paxil. Side effects may include:

• Abnormal ejaculation
• constipation
• decreased appetite
• gas
• impotence
• male and female genital disorders
• nausea
• sleeplessness
• tremor
• weakness
• vertigo

Warnings and precautions before taking Paxil:

• You should tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to paroxetine or any other medications.
• If you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), then you should tell your doctor. If you stop taking paroxetine, you should wait at least 2 weeks before you start to take an MAO inhibitor.
• You should tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, and vitamins you are taking.
• If you are taking herbal products and nutritional supplements, then you should tell your doctor especially St. John's wort and tryptophan.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Paxil, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Paxil medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Paxil with the following:-

• Alcohol
  
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Diazepam (Valium)
  
• Flecainide (Tambocor)
  
• Lithium (Eskalith)
  
• Phenobarbital
  
• Quinidine (Quinaglute)
  
• Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
  
• Tryptophan
  
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Overdose

When you are taking Paxil, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of a Paxil overdose may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• tremor
• sweating
• decreased urination
• blurred vision
• rapid heartbeat
• confusion
• aggression
• seizures
• coma