Paxil
Paroxetine tablet
What is paroxetine tablet?
PAROXETINE is used to treat depression. It is also useful for treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post traumatic stress, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking Paxil?
Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:
- bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder
- heart disease
- kidney or liver disease
- receiving electroconvulsive therapy
- seizures (convulsions)
- suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
- an unusual or allergic reaction to paroxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How is Paxil should be taken?
Take this medicine orally accompanied with a glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Take it at regular intervals. You should never take it more often than prescribed. You shouldn’t stop taking it unless your doctor specifically advises you to do so.
Consult with your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine by children. Special care may be necessary.
Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, contact the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. Never share it with others.
What if I miss a dose of Paxil?
If you miss a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses.
What are the possible interactions with other medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following:
- certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
- medicines similar to paroxetine like fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram
- phenothiazines like thioridazine
- pimozide
- procarbazine
- St. John's wort
- tryptophan
This medicine may also interact with the following:
- aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
- cimetidine
- digoxin
- fosamprenavir
- linezolid
- medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
- medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
- medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
- NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- procyclidine
- ritonavir
- theophylline
This list is not all-inclusive. Provide your health care provider with a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them whether you smoke, drink use alcohol, or illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.
Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking Paxil?
Perform regular checks on your progress by visiting your doctor. Continue taking this medicine even if you do not feel the immediate effect. It can possibly take up to several weeks before you you can appreciate the entire effectiveness of this medicine.
Patients and also their families should keep an eye on depression or suicide thoughts, especially if those are getting worse. You should also watch out for sudden or severe emotions like anxiety, agitattion, feeling panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or having problems sleeping. If this happens, especially during the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a dosage amendment, consult your health care professional at once.
If you have been using this medicine regularly for some period of time, you shouldn’t stop taking it instantaneously. You have to gradually reduce the dosage or your symptoms might get worse. Consult with your doctor for more detailed advice.
You might also get drowsy or dizzy while undergoing the treatment course. You should not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness unless you know how exactly this medicine affects you. Neither should you stand up or sit down quickly, especially if you are an senior patient. This is to reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting spells. Alcohol might have an influence on the effectiveness of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks during the treatment course.
Do not indulge in self-treatment from coughs, colds or allergies without consulting with your doctor first. Some ingredients have a potential to increase possible side effects from the treatment course.
You might experience dry mouth symptoms. Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy should help overcome it.
Does Paxil have any possible side effects?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- black or bloody stools, blood in the urine or vomit
- fast, irregular heartbeat
- hallucination, loss of contact with reality
- painful or prolonged erection (men)
- seizures
- suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
- trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusually weak or tired
- vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- change in appetite, weight
- change in sex drive or performance
- constipation or diarrhea
- difficulty sleeping
- drowsy
- headache
- increased sweating
- muscle pain or weakness
- tremors
Other side effects are also possible, for the above list is not all inclusive.
Where should I store Paxil?
Keep it out of the children’s reach.
This medicine should be stored at the room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). The container should to be kept tightly closed. Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.