Brand Names: Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva

Generic Name: Paroxetine (pa ROX a teen)

What is Paxil?

Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Paxil is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It works by restoring the balance of serotonin,a natural substance in the brain, which helps to improve certain mood problems.

How Taken

Paxil comes as a tablet to take it orally. It is usually taken once daily and may be taken with or without food. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take Paxil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Paxil without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, seizures or epilepsy, or a manic disorder or suicidal thoughts. 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.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Paxil and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: 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; sleepiness or insomnia; or decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. 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.

Storage

Store at controlled room temperature between 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a Paxil overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, seizures, agitation, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils.

More Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Paxil may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking Paxil.

Important information about Paxil

Do not take Paxil together with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Paxil may cause heart defects or serious, life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking Paxil, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant such as Paxil, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.