Paxil Paroxetine belongs to a class of drugs known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is an antidepressant which is also used in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders. These include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Paxil Generic is also used to manage hot flashes or discomfort related to menopause. Paroxetine works by restoring serotonin (an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved with mood, pain control, digestion, as well as sleep cycle) in the brain.
Precautions: What You Need to Know
It is important to inform your doctor about your current health status, medical history, and allergies to certain medications. Be sure to inform your physician about all the products you use. These include prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Do not use Paxil Generic if you are hypersensitive to Paroxetine. Be sure to inform your physician if you’ve had glaucoma, kidney related diseases, heart disease, a recent heart attack, liver disease, or bleeding from your stomach.
Paxil Paroxetine should be avoided by pregnant women and women who intend to get pregnant. Patients who become pregnant while taking this medicine should be informed of the potential harm it might cause to the fetus, one of which is the high risk of cardiovascular malformations, both ventricular and atrial septal defects (VSDs and ASDs).
Consult your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Although the effect on a nursing baby is still unknown, the medication might affect the quality of your breast milk. Avoid alcohol during usage of this drug. Until the effect of Paxil Paroxetine on you is ascertained, do not operate any machinery or engage in activities such as driving that requires alertness.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly. Patients may experience dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, confusion, or nausea when they stop taking the drug suddenly. You are advised to consult your doctor about the best withdrawal method which in most cases is a gradual reduction in dosage.
Instructions on Taking
Paxil Generic should be taken once daily either in the morning or in the evening. It is important that you carefully follow the instructions on the prescription label. Do not attempt to increase or reduce your dose without consulting your doctor first. Most importantly, do not self-medicate.
Do not take twice the prescription (double dose) to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you remember however if it is almost time for your next dose, you’re advised to skip the missed one.
Paxil Paroxetine is meant to be administered orally. If this drug makes you feel sleepy during the day, consult your doctor about taking it in the evening. Also, your daily dosage should not exceed 60mg and do not use this drug if you are under18 years.
This medication has not been approved for children, therefore, it should not be administered to them. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens or there is no significant improvement. Keep out of the reach of children and other people, especially those with a history of drug abuse. Overdosing on Paxil Paroxetine may be fatal therefore immediately seek emergency medical attention.
Dosage
Paxil Paroxetine comes in four dosages: 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, and 40mg.
- For patients with panic disorder, the recommended daily dose is 40mg.
- The dose range for patients with a major depressive disorder (MDD) is 20mg to 50mg daily.
- For patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the recommended daily dosage is 40mg daily.
- The recommended daily dosage for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is 20mg.
- The recommended dose range for patients with generalized anxiety disorder is 20mg-50mg.
Side effects
Some general side effects generally associated with the use of Paxil Paroxetine may include:
- Headache;
- Tiredness;
- Sleep changes;
- Drowsiness;
- Loss of appetite;
- Sensitivity to light;
- Irregular or painful menstruation;
- Dry mouth;
- Stomach pain;
- Heartburn;
- Constipation;
- Nausea;
- Somnolence;
- Delayed ejaculation;
- Forgetfulness;
- Sweating;
- Diarrhea.
Adverse reactions may also occur. Do not hesitate to inform your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Chest pain;
- Frequent urination;
- Blurry vision;
- Bruising or abnormal bleeding;
- Hallucination;
- Numbness in your arms, hands, leg, and feet;
- Peeling/blistering of skin;
- Fainting;
- Seizures;
- Panic attacks;
- Anger.
Interactions with other drugs
Paxil Paroxetine is known to interact with a total of 698 known medications. These include:
- Drugs for mental illnesses other than depression, such as Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), Risperidone (Risperdal), and Haloperidol (Haldol).
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: Linezolid (Zyvox), Isocarboxazid (Marplan), Phenelzine (Nardil), Selegiline, and Rasagiline.
- Anti-seizure/anticonvulsant medications, such as Valproic acid (Epival, Depakene, divalproex sodium), Phenytoin (Dilantin), and Acetazolamide (Acetazolam).
- Antidepressants, including Clomipramine (Anafranil), Amitriptyline (Elavil), and Amoxapine (Asendin).
- Gastrointestinal drugs, such as Cimetidine (Tagamet), Ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac), and Metoclopramide (Reglan).
- Antibiotics, such as Isoniazid (Nydrazid, INH), Dicloxacillin (Dynapen), and Rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin).
- HIV medications: Ritonavir (Norvir) and Atazanavir (Reyataz).
- Painkillers: Methadone (Dolophine), Meperidine (Demerol), Fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora, Duragesic).
- Medications for irregular heartbeat, such as Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), Encainide (Enkaid), and Flecainide (Tambocor).
- Anti-anxiety medications, including Diazepam (Valium), Buspirone (Buspar).
- Codeine, which is found in a many cough and pain medications.
- Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Fluoxetine (Sarafem, Prozac), and Citalopram (Celexa).
- Certain heart medications, such as Clopidogrel (Plavix), Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and Propranolol (Inderal).
- Blood thinners – Warfarin (Coumadin).
- The ADHD drug – Atomoxetine (Strattera).
- Drugs used to treat nausea.
- Antihistamines.
- Diuretics.
This isn’t a full list of medications that interact with Paxil Paroxetine. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to get the full list of medicines that should not be taken with Paxil Generic.