Paxil is
most commonly 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 here.
Paxil Directions?
Take Paxil exactly as
directed by your doctor. 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. Paxil may be
taken with or without food. Try to take Paxil
at the same time each day. 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.
Paxil Side Effects?
Stop taking Paxil and
contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency
medical treatment if you experience any of
the following: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.
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.
Paxil Warnings?
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.
Paxil Drug Interactions?
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. Do not take Paxil without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant,
could become pregnant during treatment or
breast-feeding a baby.
Paxil Missed 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.
Paxil Storage?
Store it at room temperature
away from sunlight and moisture. Keep this
and all medications out of the reach of children.
Anything Else I Should
Know About 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), posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric
disorder (PMDD).
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment
of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe,
appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before taking
the product.
