Paroxetine: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more (original) (raw)

  1. Paroxetine oral tablet is available in immediate-release and extended-release forms. It’s also available as both a generic drug and brand-name drugs. Brand names: Paxil, Paxil CR, and Pexeva.
  2. Paroxetine is also available as an oral capsule and oral suspension.
  3. Paroxetine 7.5 mg capsule (Brisdelle) is indicated once daily at bedtime to treat vasomotor symptoms of menopause in those who are unwilling or unable to take estrogen.
  4. Paroxetine oral tablet can be used to treat depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Other warnings

Paroxetine oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s available in immediate-release and extended-release forms. These forms are available as the brand-name drugs Paxil, Paxil CR, and Pexeva. All brands do not treat all conditions.

Paroxetine oral tablet is also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name versions. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as brand-name drugs.

Paroxetine also comes as an oral capsule and an oral solution.

Why it’s used

Paroxetine can be used to treat the following conditions:

Paroxetine may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

How it works

Paroxetine belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Paroxetine increases the amount of the hormone serotonin that your body makes and releases in your brain. Serotonin helps with symptoms of depression, compulsions, stress, and anxiety.

Paroxetine oral tablet can cause drowsiness and may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly. You shouldn’t drive, use heavy machinery, or do other activities for which you need to be alert until you know how this drug affects you.

Paroxetine can also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of paroxetine oral tablet can include:

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

Paroxetine and suicide

SSRIs, such as paroxetine, may cause or increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The risk is especially high during the first few months of treatment or following a change in dosage. Teenagers and young adults are at the highest risk for these symptoms. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any unusual or sudden changes in behaviors, thoughts, or mood when taking this drug. Learn more about antidepressants and suicide risk here.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.

Paroxetine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with paroxetine are listed below.

Drugs you should not take with paroxetine

Do not take these drugs with paroxetine. Taking these drugs with paroxetine can cause dangerous effects in your body. Examples of these drugs include:

Interactions that can increase your risk of side effects

Taking paroxetine with certain drugs raises your risk of side effects. Examples of these drugs include:

Interactions that can make drugs less effective

Taking paroxetine with certain drugs may cause one or both of the drugs to not work as well. This is because the interaction between the drugs may cause a decrease in your body of paroxetine or the other drug. Examples of these drugs include:

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Paroxetine oral tablet comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Alcohol interaction

If you drink alcohol, you should avoid drinks that contain alcohol when taking this drug.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with glaucoma: Paroxetine may dilate your pupils, which may trigger a glaucoma attack. Notify your doctor if you have glaucoma before taking this drug.

For people with bipolar disorder: Caution should be used when taking this drug if you have bipolar disorder. Taking paroxetine alone may trigger a mixed or manic episode.

For people with seizures: Caution should be used when taking this drug if you have a history of seizures. If seizures occur while you take this drug, you should stop taking it and contact your doctor.

For people with kidney disease: If you have kidney disease, your kidneys may not be able to get rid of this drug as well as they should. This may cause levels of the drug to build up in your body and cause more side effects.

For people with liver disease: If you have liver disease, your body may not be able to process this drug as well as it should. This may increase the levels of this drug to build up in your body and cause more side effects.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant people: Talk with your doctor about this drug if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. They will be able to discuss the risk of harm to a fetus. This drug should only be used if the potential risk is acceptable given the drug’s potential benefit. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

Brisdelle, a brand-name drug containing paroxetine used to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, is contraindicated in pregnancy. This is due to the FDA-approved indication of Brisdelle for vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause. Other brand names (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva) and the generic (paroxetine) are not contraindicated in pregnancy.

For people who are nursing: This drug passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is nursed. Caution should be used when taking this drug while nursing. Talk with your doctor if you nurse your child. You may need to decide whether to stop nursing or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

If you’re over the age of 65, you may be at higher risk of developing side effects while taking this drug, including low sodium levels in your blood (hyponatremia).

For children: It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

This dosage information is for paroxetine oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

Forms and strengths

Generic: Paroxetine

Brand: Paxil

Brand: Paxil CR

Brand: Pexeva

Dosage for major depressive disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

You should take this drug in one dose per day. You should be on the lowest dose that works for you.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Special dosage considerations

For severe kidney disease

For severe liver disease

Dosage for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

You should take this drug in one dose per day. You should be on the lowest dose that works for you.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Special dosage considerations

For severe kidney disease

For severe liver disease

Dosage for panic disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

You should take this drug in one dose per day. You should be on the lowest dose that works for you.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Special dosage considerations

For severe kidney disease

For severe liver disease

Dosage for social anxiety disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

You should take this drug in one dose per day. You should be on the lowest dose that works for you.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Special dosage considerations

For severe kidney disease

For severe liver disease

Dosage for generalized anxiety disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

You should take this drug in one dose per day. You should be on the lowest dose that works for you.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Special dosage considerations

For severe kidney disease

For severe liver disease

Dosage for post-traumatic stress disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

You should take this drug in one dose per day. You should be on the lowest dose that works for you.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Special dosage considerations

For severe kidney disease

For severe liver disease

Dosage for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

You should take this drug in one dose per day. You should be on the lowest dose that works for you.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Special dosage considerations

For severe kidney disease

For severe liver disease

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Paroxetine oral tablet can be used for long-term or short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: If you don’t take it at all, your condition won’t get any better. If you suddenly stop taking it, you may see symptoms, such as anxiety, irritability, high or low mood, restlessness, changes in sleep habits, headache, sweating, nausea, dizziness, electric shock-like sensations, shaking, and confusion.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working:

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes paroxetine oral tablets for you.

General

Storage

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

Clinical monitoring

You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. These issues include:

Insurance

Many insurance companies require prior authorization for certain forms or brands of this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.