Paxil

Brand Names

Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva

What is Paxil

Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is effective in the treatment of different conditions within the brain. Paxil is made by GlaxoSmithKline.

Side effects of Paxil

The most common side effects of Paxil may include:

• headache
• dizziness
• weakness
• difficulty concentrating
• nervousness
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• sleepiness or feeling ''drugged''
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• stomach pain
• heartburn
• changes in ability to taste food
• decreased appetite
• weight loss or gain
• changes in sex drive or ability
• dry mouth
• sweating
• yawning
• sensitivity to light
• lump or tightness in throat
• pain in the back, muscles, bones or anywhere in the body
• tenderness or swelling of joints
• muscle weakness or tightness
• flushing
• sore teeth and gums
• unusual dreams
• painful or irregular menstruation

The following side effects are considered to be serious, please contact your doctor at once:

• blurred vision
• seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
• fainting
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• seizure
• fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat and severe muscle stiffness or twitching
• abnormal bleeding or bruising
• tiny red spots directly under the skin
• peeling or blistering of skin
• sore throat, fever, chills, cough and other signs of infection
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• unsteady walking that may cause falling
• sudden muscle twitching or jerking that you cannot control
• numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, arms or legs
• difficult, frequent, or painful urination
• swelling, itching, burning, or infection in the vagina
• painful erection that lasts for hours
• sudden nausea, vomiting, weakness, cramping, bloating, swelling, tightness in hands and feet, dizziness, headache and confusion
• hives
• skin rash
• itching
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• hoarseness
• black and tarry stools
• red blood in stools
• bloody vomit
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Indication

Paxil is used for treating the following conditions:

• Depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Precautions

It is not recommended to take Paxil if you have:

• Bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder (manic depression)
• A history of suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts
• Had a recent heart attack or if you have unstable heart disease
• Diabetes
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Glaucoma (a condition of the eyes)
• Liver disease including liver failure or cirrhosis
• Kidney problems, including kidney failure (renal failure)
• Any allergies including allergies to food, dyes or preservatives
• Pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding

Dosage forms

Your doctor will determine your dose as Paxil 20 mg once daily (usually in the morning). The recommended dose for the treatment of panic disorder and for elderly people or people with liver or kidney problems is lower: Paxil 10 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dosage if symptoms continue or reduce the dose if serious side effects appear.

The maximum dose of Paxil is 50 mg (for depression, generalized anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder) or 60 mg (for social anxiety disorder, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder).