Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Paxil paroxetine is an antidepressant medication approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder GAD and other anxiety disorders. Like other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , it was developed as a treatment for depression. The precise mechanism responsible for the antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of drugs like Paxil is still not completely understood.
They are classified as SSRIs because they prevent the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain and nervous system. Nerve impulses are transmitted chemically between neurons in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters like serotonin are produced by one neuron. They travel between the cells and are deposited on the second neuron.
It is theorized that keeping serotonin around longer results in relief of depression. Unlike phobias , where a person has a fear of a certain object or situation, generalized anxiety disorder produces free-floating anxiety that is not attached to a single source. Those with this disorder are always anticipating disaster.
They often worry excessively about health, money, family, or work. Just the thought of getting through the day may provoke anxiety. Many people with GAD realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. This knowledge does not reduce their anxiety. They may report being unable to relax and often have trouble falling or staying asleep. A decreased libido, difficulty getting aroused, and difficulty orgasming are all side effects associated with Paxil and SSRIs in general.
Your doctor may want to weigh the benefits of the drug helping what it was originally intended to help with against how disruptive a particular sexual issue to your life, and they may eventually switch you over to a different prescription. This is a sign of low sodium levels, a. It's an unusual side effect, but can happen when your liver and kidneys have trouble metabolizing the medication. It's important to keep your electrolyte levels in check when taking this medication, so to play it safe, make sure to schedule annual bloodwork to check those levels with your doctor, suggests Hermann.
Like with any antidepressant or anti-anxiety med, Paxil comes with a warning of increased feelings of depression. Another thing to note: Paxil may have negative effects on undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Weight Loss. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo.
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality. Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.
Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.
Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.
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Get Involved Share Your Story. Get Involved Partner with Us. Advocacy Advocate for Change. Advocacy Policy Priorities. Advocacy Policy Platform. Paroxetine has been linked to a very small increased risk of problems for your unborn baby.
However, if your depression is not treated during pregnancy this can also increase the chance of problems. You may need to take paroxetine during pregnancy if you need it to remain well.
Your doctor can explain the risks and the benefits, and will help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby. For more information about how paroxetine can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read the leaflet about the best use of medicines in pregnancy BUMPS.
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, paroxetine can be used during breastfeeding. It has been used by many breastfeeding mothers without any problems.
Paroxetine passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and has been linked with side effects in very few breastfed babies. It is important to continue taking paroxetine to keep you well.
Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby. If you notice that your baby isn't feeding as well as usual, or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible. Some medicines and paroxetine can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start paroxetine :. Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you are being treated with paroxetine as this will increase your risk of side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. Paroxetine is one of a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.
These medicines are thought to work by increasing the levels of a mood-enhancing chemical, called serotonin, in the brain. You may not notice much improvement in your symptoms for a week or two, until paroxetine begins to take effect. It usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits. Do not stop taking paroxetine after a week or two just because you feel it is not helping your symptoms.
Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work. Antidepressants like paroxetine help to jump start your mood so you feel better. You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You will hopefully take little things that used to worry you in your stride. Paroxetine won't change your personality or make you feel euphorically happy. It will simply help you feel like yourself again. Don't expect to feel better overnight though.
Some people feel worse during the first few weeks of treatment before they begin to feel better. Once you're feeling better it's likely that you will continue to take paroxetine for several more months to prevent the symptoms returning. You'll need to discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of carrying on taking paroxetine for longer than a few months. The decision will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms, whether it's a one-off problem or one that keeps coming back, how well paroxetine works for you and whether you've had any bad side effects.
If you've been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off paroxetine. Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks - or longer, if you have been taking paroxetine for a long time. This is to help prevent any extra side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These include:. Do not stop taking paroxetine suddenly, or without talking to your doctor first.
A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. Taking paroxetine for more than a year has also been linked to a small increased risk of getting diabetes. But you will be regularly checked for this. Paroxetine isn't any better or worse as a treatment than other SSRIs.
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