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Paroxetine - Brand Name: Paxil
Overview
Paxil is the brand name for Paroxetine,
a phenylpiperidine derivative. Paxil is an SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitor, which is a type of antidepressant. SSRIs work by increasing levels
of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) to normal.
Paxil’s effects can usually be felt
within one to four weeks.
Why is this drug
prescribed?
Paxil is used primarily to treat
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD.)
Paxil is also used to treat:
- depression
- panic disorder / panic
attacks
- diabetic nerve pain
(neuropathy)
- chronic tension headaches
- social anxiety disorder
(social phobia)
- premature ejaculation
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Warnings
The safety and effectiveness of Paxil in children
under 18 years old have not been established.
Paxil is not addictive. Suddenly discontinuing
Paxil may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as
confusion, dizziness, sweating, or tremors. Dosage should be gradually
tapered when Paxil is discontinued.
Paxil does not usually cause
sedation, but patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery until it
is known that Paxil does not affect the ability
to safely engage in these activities.
For Pregnant or Nursing
Mothers: One study showed no adverse effects due to Paxil
during pregnancy, but further study is required and pregnant women are not
advised to take Paxil. Paxil
passes into human breast milk, and nursing mothers should not take Paxil.
Contraindications
Paxil should Not be used for people with
an allergy or hypersensitivity to this drug or any SSRI.
Precautions
Paxil may be used with caution in people with the
following conditions:
- liver or kidney disease
– lower dosage may be needed
- seizures (epilepsy or
convulsions) – risk of seizures is increased
- a history of mania – Paxil may activate mania
- elderly – lower
dosage may be needed
- brain disease or damage
- mental retardation
Adverse Reactions
Paxil may cause the following reactions:
- lowered blood pressure and
fainting upon standing (postural hypotension)
- sweating
- dry mouth
- nausea
- headache
- drowsiness
- sedation
- nervousness
- insomnia
- constipation
- weakness
- loss of appetite
- taste disorders
- tingling in hands
- upset stomach
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- itching
- chills
- abnormal ejaculation
- impotence
- sexual dysfunction
- diarrhea
- hypomania
- seizures
Interactions with Drugs
and Other Substances
Drugs or substances that may interact with Paxil
are:
- MAO Inhibitors (within 14
days) – serious or even fatal interactions can occur when taken
with Paxil
benzodiazepines, desipramine, Haldol (haloperidol), and Normodyne
(labetalol) – Paxil
may increase the effects of these drugs
- Dilantin (phenytoin)
- can decrease blood levels of Paxil and
reduce its effects
- Quinaglute (quinidine)
and Tagamet(cimetidine)
- can increase Paxil levels and lead to drug
toxicity
- Astemizole (Hismanal) – can
lead to a serious change in heart rhythm when taken with Paxil
- Ultram (tramadol)
- can increase the risk of seizures when taken with Paxil
- Tryptophan - can increase side
effects such as sweating, nausea, and dizziness when taken with Paxil
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- can cause bleeding when taken with Paxil
- Moclobemide (Manerex)
within 3 to 7 days
- Buspirone (BuSpar),
Bromocriptine (Parlodel),
Dextromethorphan (cough medicine), Levodopa (Sinemet),
Lithium, Meperidine (Demerol), Nefazodone (Serzone), Pentazocine (Talwin),
other SSRIs (such as: Citalopram
[Celexa], fluoxetine
[Prozac], fluvoxamine [Luvox],
sertraline [Zoloft]), LSD, MDMA (ecstasy),
marijuana, Sumatriptan (Imitrex),
Tramadol (Ultram),
Trazodone (Desyrel),
Tryptophan, Venlafaxine
(Effexor) – taking these medicines
with Paxil can increase the chance of
developing a rare, but very serious, unwanted effect known as the
serotonin syndrome, whose symptoms include confusion, diarrhea, fever,
poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or
acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or shaking, or
twitching.
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