Paxil (paroxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and tension related to anxiety and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).
In clinical studies, Paxil has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, reduce OCD symptoms and increase the quality of life for patients with depression and anxiety disorders.
Paxil may also reduce the risk of relapse with antidepressant use. The medication is also known to interact with other medications, including some used to treat dementia-related psychosis.
Paxil is available in various strengths and is typically taken once or twice per day depending on the patient’s needs. It is important to complete the full course of treatment to effectively manage the medication’s effects and to prevent the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
The use of Paxil in children and adolescents (aged 12 years and older) has not been adequately studied.
Side Effects
The common side effects of Paxil include nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. The patient may feel drowsy, anxious, or confused. Some patients may also experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Interactions
The most commonly reported side effects of Paxil include dry mouth, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and constipation. The patient may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Interaction Chart
The following table lists possible interactions for Paxil. Each interaction is considered with its corresponding drug name and strength. The table details the potential interactions for Paxil with each drug.
| Drug | Paxil interaction | Drug name | Strength | Interaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Name | Paroxetine | No interactions | ||
| Generic Name | ||||
| Brand | Paxil | |||
| Generic | Lorazepam |
The following table lists possible side effects of Paxil with other medications. Each interaction is considered with its specific drug name and strength.
Dosage and Administration
The following table lists the recommended dosages and administration methods for Paxil. The table is intended to guide the doctor to best use of the medication based on the patient’s medical history and specific needs.
Health care providers prescribe Paxil to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, and other mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that negatively affects how you think, behave, and feel. Untreated depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical issues. The symptoms of depression may vary from person to person. They may appear mild in some, while they can be debilitating in others.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition that causes unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts or fears (obsessions). These obsessive thoughts lead individuals to engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Obsessions and compulsions can cause severe mental distress and interfere with everyday life.
Bulimia nervosa, commonly referred to as bulimia," is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder. Those with bulimia will go through episodes of “binge eating,” where they cannot control the amount of food they eat, followed by “purging.” Bulimia, if left untreated, can lead to extremely serious medical complications—even death. Due to the cycle of binging and purging, individuals with bulimia can seriously dehydrate themselves, damage their internal organs (including the heart and kidneys), and erode the enamel of their teeth.
Premenstrual dysphoria disorder is characterized by severe symptoms at the onset of menstruation. PMDD can cause extreme mood swings, irritability, depression, and physical symptoms like breast tenderness.
Paxil is also prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. A person who suffers from an anxiety disorder may have constant feelings of worry, difficulty concentrating, and an inability to relax. If left untreated, anxiety may eventually interfere with work or school performance, personal relationships, and other daily functions.
What is Paroxetine?Paroxetine is a type of medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is the same class of medications used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia.
Serious side effects of Paxil include the following:heart disease.
People with Paxil should be advised to consult with healthcare providers before starting,catch, or treatment with Paroxetine.
Paroxetine is considered a short-term treatment. It can help to ease symptoms for a few days and alleviate pain. In case of an overdose, get medical help in the loop around the same time. If necessary, treatment can be heard on the side. Consult with a healthcare provider to explore alternative treatment options and inform if Paxil is appropriate for you. Please consult your healthcare provider for more details.
Paxil can cause serious side effects, including:low sodium levels.
Paroxetine is not suitable for everyone. People with a history of low sodium levels should be given paroxetine before starting treatment with managed antidepressant drugs. Antidepressants cause serious side effects, including:severe dehydration.
Paroxetine is not recommended for anyone under the age of 18. Individuals with a history of underactive thyroid should also be investigated. Individuals with a history of depression should be counseled that Paroxetine may not be suitable for them. Close monitoring by a healthcare professional is required for the long-term treatment of Paxil.
Does Paroxetine Work for You?In most cases, paroxetine is effective for treating depression. However, some people need a lower dose to experience the full benefits. In these cases, consult your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe paroxetine for another purpose. Paroxetine is a controlled substance. However, your healthcare provider will do a thorough medical exam to make sure it's the right medication for you. If you have any questions about Paroxetine, please consult your healthcare provider with them.
What It is Not,Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. This causes increased serotonin levels in the brain. This increases the depression symptoms in the person suffering from the depression.
There is no direct evidence that Paroxetine is effective for everyone. There is some evidence that one dose of Paroxetine may not be enough to treat everyone. Your healthcare provider may suggest lower paroxetine doses to help treat your depression.
Your healthcare provider may suggest taking Paroxetine for a longer time than directed. This can help ease symptoms.
Medically reviewed by. Last updated on Jan 27, 2025.
Official Guideline| | |Off-label UsePaxil CRoff-labelis indicated for the treatment of depressive symptoms in adults and adolescents (≥18 years of age). It may be used as a first-line treatment in adults and in patients with depression, as well as in patients with anxiety disorders. In addition, it may be used in patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder.
In clinical practice, Paxil CR is approved for the treatment of adult patients with depressive symptoms. The use of antidepressants in this population should be considered in patients with comorbid depression, including a history of suicide attempts or at least the occurrence of a previous major depressive episode.
Adverse EffectsThe adverse effects of Paxil CR are listed in the Table.
The following adverse effects are listed in the table.
AdultsThe most common adverse effects of Paxil CR are nausea, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, dizziness, and tremor (for example, ataxia).
Adolescents
Clinical Trials ExperienceIn clinical trials, Paxil CR has been demonstrated to be an effective antidepressant. Clinical trials have shown that Paxil CR has a favorable safety profile in the adult population. It has been demonstrated to be an effective antidepressant for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder.
In patients with depression, the antidepressant effect is maintained after discontinuing the medication. The antidepressant response to Paxil CR can be maintained even in the absence of an attempt to discontinue the medication. The antidepressant response to Paxil CR is generally maintained during the first few weeks of treatment.
In patients with anxiety disorders, the antidepressant effect is maintained after discontinuing the medication. The antidepressant response to Paxil CR is generally maintained throughout the treatment period. The antidepressant response to Paxil CR may be maintained even in the absence of an attempt to discontinue the medication. The antidepressant response to Paxil CR may be maintained even in the absence of a previous attempt to discontinue the medication.
The following adverse effects are listed in the Table.
AdministrationFor oral administration, the drug should be taken with meals. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. Take the medicine with a full glass full of water; do not mix it with water. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
In clinical trials, the following adverse effects occurred with the use of Paxil CR: nausea, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, dizziness, and tremor (for example, ataxia).
The following adverse effects were reported in clinical trials in which the use of Paxil CR was attempted and successfully discontinued: nausea, vomiting, tremor, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, insomnia, dizziness, and tachycardia.
Serum AnalgesiaSerum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were measured in 22 patients taking Paxil CR, and in 10 patients taking placebo. None of the patients discontinued treatment. The mean baseline baseline values of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were: 1.5 +/- 1.5 U/L (range 0.9 to 2.2 U/L) and 8.5 +/- 7.8 U/L (range 3.2 to 14.
is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the United States. It's prescribed to people with depression and anxiety, but there are a few different types of SSRIs that are also commonly prescribed to people with depression and anxiety.
SSRIs work by increasing the levels of chemicals in the brain. When someone is diagnosed with depression, they may be more likely to have anxiety and depression. SSRIs can be especially helpful for people who have other mental health conditions, such as,, or, and are taking medications to treat these conditions.
Some SSRIs are prescribed to people who have or are taking certain types of antidepressants, including:
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SSRIs are also sometimes used to treat and other types of depression.
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It's important to note that SSRIs may not be the most effective medication for treating depression or anxiety. However, some SSRIs may also be used to treat other conditions that are listed in the medication guide. Some other SSRIs, like fluoxetine (Prozac, ), are also sometimes used to treat depression.
SSRIs are usually used for patients with or without a family history of. This includes people who have problems with sleep,, or are taking certain medications. Some other SSRIs may also be used to treat depression, such as (Paroxetine, ) and (Sertraline, ) and (Paxil, ).
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SSRIs are also sometimes prescribed to people who have other mental health conditions such as,, and Parkinson's disease. However, these conditions have different causes and treatments.
SSRIs may also be used to treat and other types of depression. The main difference is that some SSRIs may be used to treat other conditions that are listed in the medication guide, including ( ), which is when someone is experiencing severe symptoms, such as panic attacks. SSRIs can also be used to treat other conditions that are listed in the medication guide.
Some SSRIs are also used to treat other types of depression, including:
Other types of depression include:
SSRIs may also be used to treat and other types of depression, including:
SSRIs may also be used to treat other types of depression. Some other types of depression are listed in the medication guide.