Paxil

What is Paxil

Paxil is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic or anxiety, or obsessive or compulsive symptoms.

Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Paxil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Paxil

Do not stop taking Paxil without first talking to your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and unpleasant side effects may be experienced if you stop taking Paxil suddenly.

What you should find out before taking Paxil

Do not take Paxil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take Paxil if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Paxil before taking thioridazine (Mellaril).

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.

How should take Paxil

Take Paxil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with water.

Swallow the controlled-release tablets (Paxil CR) whole, without crushing or chewing. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.

Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring cup or spoon, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Paxil may be taken with or without food.

Try to take Paxil at the same time each day.

Store Paxil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Paxil overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, seizures, agitation, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils.

Avoid while taking Paxil

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Paxil may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking Paxil.

Possible side effects of Paxil

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.

What other drugs will affect Paxil

Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others;
- a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
- a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others;
- almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
- carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin);
- lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);
- theophylline (Theobid, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, and others);
- warfarin (Coumadin);
- digoxin (Lanoxin); or
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB).

You may not be able to take Paxil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Paxil. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.