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Paxil Paxil Uses Paxil Side effects Precautions Overdose Storage Paxil vs Zoloft Citations Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paxil

Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors class of medicines (SSRIs). Paroxetine affects brain chemicals that may be out of control in individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses. Paxil is a medication that is used to treat depression, such as major depressive disorder.

Paxil Uses

Paxil is a medication that is used to treat depression, such as major depressive disorder.Panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder are all treated with Paxil (PMDD).

How to use Paxil CR?

  • Paxil should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. Read all drug manuals or guidance sheets and follow all instructions on your prescription bottle. Your doctor can adjust your dose from time to time.
  • Do not crush, chew, or crack the Paxil CR extended-release tablet; swallow it whole.
  • Before you take a dose of Paxil oral suspension (liquid), shake it well before using. Use the given dosing syringe or a drug dose-measuring unit (not a kitchen spoon).
  • Your symptoms can take up to four weeks to improve. If your symptoms do not improve after taking the drug as prescribed, contact your doctor.
  • If you suddenly stop taking Paxil, you can experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Inquire with your doctor on how to safely avoid taking this medication. To taper your dose, follow your doctor's instructions.
  • Store away from moisture, sun, and light at room temperature.

Paxil Side Effects

  • Agitation
  • Chest congestion
  • Chest pain
  • Chills
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty with breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness
  • Irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • Muscle pain
  • Weakness
  • Skin rash
  • Difficulty with speaking
  • Dry mouth
  • Fever
  • Restlessness
  • Shivering
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness

Precautions

  • If you're taking pimozide or thioridazine, you shouldn't take Paxil.
  • If you've taken an MAO inhibitor like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days, don't take Paxil.
  • When taking an antidepressant for the first time, some young people have suicidal thoughts. Keep a close eye on any changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor should be informed of any new or worsening symptoms.
  • If you experience symptoms such as anxiety, hallucinations, muscle weakness, twitching, lack of balance, dizziness, warmth or tingling sensations, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sweating, or tremors, seek medical help right away.
  • The drug's side effects, especially bleeding and loss of coordination may be more severe in older adults. Older adults are also more likely to develop a form of salt imbalance (hyponatremia), especially if they take "water pills" (diuretics). Falls may be exacerbated by a loss of control.
  • Children may be more prone to the drug's adverse effects, especially appetite loss and weight loss. Children who are taking this medication may have changes in their weight.
  • It is not advised to take this drug while you are pregnant. It has the potential to damage an unborn child, and babies born to mothers who used it during the last three months of pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms including feeding/breathing problems, seizures, muscle weakness, or excessive crying. Do not quit taking this drug until your doctor tells you to because untreated mental/mood disorders (such as depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety) will affect a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Instead, consult with your doctor to see if a particular prescription is appropriate for you. Tell your doctor right away if you're expecting.
  • This medication is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor.

Interactions

  • Drug interactions might lead your drugs to function in a different way or put you at risk for some severe side effects.
  • Thioridazine, as well as other drugs that can cause bleeding or bruising, can interact with this medication (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, blood thinners such as warfarin).
  • All of your medications (such as allergy or cough-and-cold remedies) should be checked for ingredients that cause drowsiness. Inquire with your pharmacist about the proper use of those drugs.
  • This medication can cause false test results in some medical/laboratory tests (including a brain scan for Parkinson's disease). Make sure your laboratory staff and all of your physicians are aware that you are taking this medication.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, seek medical advice. Do not take more.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take any dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is already near to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dosage at regular intervals of time. Do not double the dose

Storage

Store it at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications far away from kids. Never flush medications down the toilet or pour them into the drainage.

Paxil vs Zoloft:

Paxil
Zoloft
Paxil belongs from a drug class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Zoloft belongs from a drug class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
The generic name of Paxil is Paroxetine The generic name of Zoloft is Sertraline
The standard dosage given is 10-60 mg daily, depending on the indication and response to treatment The standard dosage given is 50-200 mg daily, depending on the indication and response to treatment
This medicine is used to treat depression, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder Zoloft is a medication that is used to treat depression, such as major depressive disorder.

Citations

Paxil https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10549-004-2175-1
Paxil in controlling hot flashes https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923753419550888

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paxil good for anxiety?

Paxil is an anxiety medication that has been approved by the FDA. Generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder may all be treated with Paxil. Paxil has been shown to be beneficial for these conditions in studies.

How does Paxil make you feel?

Nervousness, sleep problems (either too much or too little), restlessness, exhaustion, dry mouth, nausea, headache, sweating, diarrhea, and sexual problems are all common side effects of Paxil. These side effects usually disappear within a few weeks of taking the drug.

How quickly does Paxil start working?

For the first week or two after starting paroxetine, you might not see any change in your symptoms. It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks before you start to notice the full benefits. If you suspect paroxetine isn't improving the symptoms after a week or two, don't quit taking it.

Is weight gain a side effect of Paxil?

Paxil, like other SSRI antidepressant drugs, can cause weight gain. Paxil leads to weight gain, possibly because it is sedating and therefore limits physical activity. Antidepressants like MAOIs and tricyclics can also cause weight gain.

What does Paxil do to you?

Paroxetine is an antidepressant that is often used to treat panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It functions by assisting in the restoration of a natural substance (serotonin) balance in the brain. Paroxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is selective (SSRI).

Should I take Paxil at night?

The capsules are normally taken once a day, with or without food, at bedtime. To avoid stomach upset, you should take paroxetine with food. Every day, at the same time, take paroxetine.

Is Zoloft or Paxil better for anxiety?

Paxil and Zoloft were found to be similarly successful in a randomized, double-blind trial comparing the two treatments for the treatment of panic disorder; however, Zoloft was marginally better tolerated, and patients fared better after discontinuing the medication.

Can I drink alcohol on Paxil?

Alcohol intake might increase the side effects of Paroxetine on the nervous system, such as dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while using PARoxetine.

Is Paxil safe for long-term use?

There is strong evidence that long-term use of one particular antidepressant, Paxil, might increase the risk of developing dementia. However, all of these researches are observational: They do not prove that SSRIs cause problems, but that their use is related to them.

Is Paxil bad for your liver?

Liver test abnormalities have been reported to occur in up to 1% of patients with paroxetine, but elevations are usually modest and usually do not require dose modification or discontinuation.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.