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Why is Paroxetine
prescribed?
Paroxetine relieves a variety of emotional
problems. It can be prescribed for serious, continuing
depression that interferes with your ability to function.
Symptoms of this type of depression often include changes in
appetite and sleep patterns, a persistent low mood, loss of
interest in people and activities, decreased sex drive,
feelings of guilt or worthlessness, suicidal thoughts,
difficulty concentrating, and slowed thinking.
Paroxetine is also used to treat
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a disease marked by
unwanted, but stubbornly persistent thoughts, or unreasonable
rituals you feel compelled to repeat.
In addition, Paroxetine is prescribed for
panic disorder, a crippling emotional problem characterized by
sudden attacks of at least four of the following symptoms:
palpitations, sweating, shaking, numbness, chills or hot
flashes, shortness of breath, a feeling of choking, chest
pain, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or faintness,
feelings of unreality or detachment, fear of losing control,
or fear of dying.
Paroxetine can be prescribed for
generalized anxiety disorder, a disease marked by excessive
anxiety and worry that persists for at least 6 months and
can't be easily controlled. True cases of generalized anxiety
disorder are accompanied by at least three of the following
symptoms: restlessness or a keyed-up or on-edge feeling, a
tendency to tire easily, difficulty concentrating or spells
when the mind goes blank, irritability, muscle tension, or
sleep disturbance.
Paroxetine can be used in the treatment
of social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), a
condition marked by shyness or stage fright so intense that it
interferes with an individual's work and social life.
Paroxetine is also prescribed for
posttraumatic stress disorder--a crippling condition that
sometimes develops in reaction to a disastrous or horrifying
experience. Symptoms, which stubbornly refuse to abate,
include unwanted memories and dreams, intense distress when
confronted with reminders of the event, a general numbing of
interest and enjoyment, jumpiness, irritability, poor sleep,
and loss of concentration.
Most important fact about
Paroxetine
Your symptoms may seem to improve within 1 to 4
weeks after beginning treatment with Paroxetine. Even if you
feel better, continue to take the medication as long as your
doctor tells you to do so.
How should you take
Paroxetine?
Paroxetine is taken once a day, with or without
food, usually in the morning. Inform your doctor if you are
taking or plan to take any prescription or over-the-counter
drugs, since they may interact unfavorably with Paxil.
--If you miss a dose...
Skip the forgotten dose and go back to
your regular schedule with the next dose. Do not take a double
dose to make up for the one you missed.
--Storage instructions...
Paroxetine tablets can be stored at room
temperature.
What side effects may occur?
Side
effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in
intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your
doctor can determine whether it is safe for you to continue
taking this medication.
Over a 4 to 6 week period, you may find
some side effects less troublesome (nausea and dizziness, for
example) than others (dry mouth, drowsiness, and weakness).
More common side effects may
include:
Abnormal ejaculation, abnormal orgasm,
constipation, decreased appetite, decreased sex drive,
diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, gas, impotence,
male and female genital disorders, nausea, nervousness,
sleeplessness, sweating, tremor, weakness, vertigo
Less
common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal
dreams, abnormal vision, agitation, altered taste sensation,
blurred vision, burning or tingling sensation, drugged
feeling, emotional instability, headache, increased appetite,
infection, itching, joint pain, muscle tenderness or weakness,
pounding heartbeat, rash, ringing in ears, sinus inflammation,
tightness in throat, twitching, upset stomach, urinary
disorders, vomiting, weight gain, vertigo, yawning
Rare
side effects may include:
Abnormal thinking, acne, alcohol
abuse, allergic reaction, asthma, belching, blood and lymph
abnormalities, breast pain, bronchitis, chills, colitis,
difficulty swallowing, dry skin, ear pain, exaggerated sense
of well-being, eye pain or inflammation, face swelling,
fainting, generally ill feeling, hair loss, hallucinations,
heart and circulation problems, high blood pressure,
hostility, hyperventilation, increased salivation, increased
sex drive, inflamed gums, inflamed mouth or tongue, lack of
emotions, menstrual problems, migraine, movement disorders,
neck pain, nosebleeds, paranoid and manic reactions, poor
coordination, respiratory infections, sensation disorders,
shortness of breath, skin disorders, stomach inflammation,
swelling, teeth grinding, thirst, urinary disorders, vaginal
inflammation, vision problems, weight loss
Why should Paroxetine not be
prescribed?
Dangerous and even fatal reactions are possible
when Paroxetine is combined with thioridazine (Mellaril) or
drugs classified as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such
as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Never take
Paroxetine with any of these medications, or within 2 weeks of
starting or stopping use of an MAO inhibitor. You'll also need
to avoid Paroxetine if it gives you an allergic reaction.
Special warnings about
Paroxetine
Paroxetine should be used cautiously by people
with a history of manic disorders and those with high pressure
in the eyes (glaucoma).
If you have a history of seizures, make
sure your doctor knows about it. Paroxetine should be used
with caution in this situation. If you develop seizures once
therapy has begun, the drug should be discontinued.
If you have a disease or condition that
affects your metabolism or blood circulation, make sure your
doctor is aware of it. Paroxetine should be used cautiously in
this situation.
Paroxetine may impair your judgment,
thinking, or motor skills. Do not drive, operate dangerous
machinery, or participate in any hazardous activity that
requires full mental alertness until you are sure the
medication is not affecting you in this way.
It's best to avoid an abrupt
discontinuation of Paroxetine therapy. It can lead to symptoms
such as dizziness, abnormal dreams, and tingling sensations.
To prevent such problems, your doctor will reduce your dose
gradually.
Possible food and drug interactions when
taking Paroxetine
Remember that Paroxetine must never be
combined with Mellaril or MAO inhibitors such as Nardil and
Parnate.
If Paroxetine is taken with certain other
drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or
altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor
before combining Paroxetine with any of the
following:
Alcohol
Antidepressants such as
Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Prozac
Cimetidine
(Tagamet)
Diazepam (Valium)
Digoxin
(Lanoxin)
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Lithium
(Eskalith)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
(Dilantin)
Procyclidine (Kemadrin)
Propafenone
(Rythmol)
Propranolol (Inderal, Inderide)
Quinidine
(Quinaglute)
Sumatriptan
(Imitrex)
Tryptophan
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Special information if you are pregnant
or breastfeeding
The effects of Paroxetine during pregnancy
have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan
to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Paroxetine
appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If
this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may
advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment
with Paroxetine is finished.
Recommended dosage
DEPRESSION
The usual starting dose is 20 milligrams
a day, taken as a single dose, usually in the morning. At
intervals of at least 1 week, your physician may increase your
dosage by 10 milligrams a day, up to a maximum of 50
milligrams a day.
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 increase the dosage by 10
milligrams a day. The recommended long-term dosage is 40
milligrams daily. The maximum is 60 milligrams a day.
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; dosage should never exceed
60 milligrams.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER
The recommended dose is 20 milligrams
taken once a day, usually in the morning.
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
The recommended dose is 20 milligrams
taken once a day, usually in the morning.
For older adults, the weak, and those
with severe kidney or liver disease, starting doses are
reduced to 10 milligrams daily, and later doses are limited to
no more than 40 milligrams a day. Safety and effectiveness in
children have not been established.
POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
The recommended dose is 20 milligrams
taken once a day, usually in the morning.
Overdosage
Any medication taken in
excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an
overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
The symptoms of Paroxetine overdose may
include:
Coma, dizziness, drowsiness, facial flushing,
nausea, sweating, tremor, vomiting
Paxil® is a registered trademark of
GlaxoSmithKline
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