Drug Name

Paxil (Paroxetine)

 Drug Uses

Paxil is an agent in a newer class of antidepressant medication known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Depression and anxiety disorders might be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. One of these chemicals is serotonin, which helps send electrical signals from one nerve cell to another. In the process, serotonin is released from one nerve cell (the sender) and travels to the next (the receiver), where it is either absorbed or returns back to the original sender cell.

Paxil comes as a tablet to take it orally. It is usually taken once daily and may be taken with or without food. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take Paxil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Paxil without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

 Drug Class and Mechanism

Paroxetine is an anti-depressant drug that affects the chemicals that nerves in the brain use to communicate with one another. These chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, are released by one nerve and taken up by other nerves. Neurotransmitters that are released but not taken up by other nerves are taken up by the nerves that release them ("reuptake"). Many experts believe that it is an imbalance among the amounts of the different neurotransmitters that are released that causes depression. Paroxetine works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by the nerves that release it, an action which allows more serotonin to be available to be taken up by other nerves. Paroxetine is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class that also contains fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft).

If you miss a dose of Cialis , take it as soon as you remember. Continue to use it as directed by your doctor.

Store at controlled room temperature between 20-25 degrees C (68-77 degrees F).

 Warnings/Precautions

Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, seizures or epilepsy, or a manic disorder or suicidal thoughts. You may not be able to take Paxil, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Paxil is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Paxil without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Paxil passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Paxil without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 Possible Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Paxil and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat or pulse; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); unusual bleeding or bruising; or fever or chills. Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Paxil and talk to your doctor if you experience headache; tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight; sleepiness or insomnia; or decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 More Information

• If you have any of the following serious side effects, stop taking paroxetine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
  • low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
  • high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
  • unusual bleeding or bruising; or
  • fever or chills.
• Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take paroxetine and talk to your doctor if you experience
  • headache;
  • sleepiness or insomnia;
  • weakness;
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
  • decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
  • dry mouth;
  • tremor, nervousness, anxiety trouble concentrating; or
  • changes in appetite or weight.
  • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.