Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant that’s FDA-approved to deal with a number of psychological well being circumstances. Paxil is in a category of medication referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which alter serotonin ranges within the mind to enhance temper.  

Paxil is authorized to deal with:

• Main depressive dysfunction (MDD) 
• Generalized nervousness dysfunction
• Panic dysfunction 
• Social nervousness dysfunction 
• Obsessive-compulsive dysfunction (OCD) 
• Premenstrual dysphoric dysfunction (PMDD) 
• Put up-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD)

Off-label (that means it hasn’t been FDA-approved to deal with however has been discovered efficient), Paxil will be prescribed to deal with OCD in youngsters and irritable bowel syndrome.

Analysis reveals that Paxil is without doubt one of the most potent SSRIs available on the market. Whereas it could successfully deal with a number of psychological well being circumstances, it’s essential to notice that like most drugs, it additionally has unwanted effects. Actually, Paxil may need extra unwanted effects than another SSRIs. Earlier than you’re taking Paxil (or any treatment), it’s essential to speak to your physician about potential dangers you have to be conscious of.

Being aware of potential penalties is important — proceed studying to be taught in regards to the varied unwanted effects of Paxil you need to learn about earlier than beginning remedy.

Frequent Facet Results of Paxil

Many unwanted effects of Paxil are gentle and subside as your physique adjusts to the treatment. 

Unwanted side effects of Paxil can embrace:

• Nausea
• Weak point
• Drowsiness 
• Weak point 
• Sexual dysfunction
• Threat of bleeding
• Weight acquire

Nausea 

Nausea is without doubt one of the unwanted effects Paxil could cause. Nausea can fluctuate in depth, however sometimes subsides inside a couple of days or even weeks. In the event you expertise nausea whereas taking Paxil, you may wish to strive consuming smaller meals extra steadily all through the day or taking your treatment with/with out meals.  

Sleeping issues

Sleeping issues are one other widespread facet impact related to taking Paxil. This might imply experiencing problem falling asleep or waking up unexpectedly through the evening. In the event you’re having points falling or staying asleep recently, strive going to mattress on the similar time every evening, avoiding caffeine late within the day, and limiting your use of electronics earlier than bedtime.

Drowsiness 

In accordance with some analysis, Paxil use could trigger extra drowsiness than different antidepressants. Nonetheless, this typically subsides when you turn into accustomed to Paxil’s results in your physique.

Weak point 

Weak point is one other facet impact that Paxil customers expertise. This, too, will probably resolve as you turn into used to the medication. If the fatigue turns into an excessive amount of, your physician may wish to think about speaking about decreasing your dose so that you don’t really feel overwhelmed all through your day.  

Sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is an unlucky risk when utilizing SSRIs like Paxil. Some analysis suggests Paxil may need the highest fee of sexual dysfunction of all of the medication on this class. It is because Paxil impacts hormones accountable for libido, thus resulting in a diminished want for intercourse and different points like delayed ejaculation.

Threat of bleeding

There’s an elevated threat of bleeding when taking SSRIs reminiscent of Paxil. That stated, this isn’t essentially one thing it’s good to fear about except you may have different threat elements for bleeding.

Weight acquire

Weight acquire is mostly related to Paxil greater than different SSRIs. How a lot you may acquire relies upon closely upon elements like life-style decisions, physique chemistry, and weight earlier than beginning Paxil. Study extra about Paxil weight acquire for extra data.

“Decreased sexual want, delayed ejaculation, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation are widespread unwanted effects. Please attain out to your physician in the event that they worsen.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger

Critical Facet Results of Paxil

Paxil could assist deal with despair and nervousness, however it could additionally result in extreme adversarial reactions.

Serotonin syndrome

Extra serotonin within the physique could cause a severe and probably life-threatening situation referred to as serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a possible facet impact that’s extra widespread in individuals who take larger doses of Paxil. 

Signs embrace agitation, confusion, sweating, muscle twitching and spasms, fever, and elevated coronary heart fee. When you have any signs of serotonin syndrome whereas on Paxil — or another SSRI antidepressant — get medical assist instantly.  

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

When stopping Paxil all of the sudden or decreasing the dosage too shortly, it could result in what’s often known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. This happens when your mind can’t modify shortly sufficient to decrease serotonin ranges. 

Frequent indicators could contain feeling queasy, lightheadedness, exhaustion, and flu-like sensations reminiscent of aches and chills. In some instances, there may additionally be vivid desires or nightmares that would last as long as a number of weeks after stopping the treatment abruptly. To keep away from this sort of response, it’s greatest to slowly cut back your dose over time with steerage out of your physician reasonably than quitting chilly turkey by yourself.

Threat of suicidal ideas and behaviors

It’s important that healthcare suppliers intently monitor individuals taking Paxil long-term, as the danger of suicidal ideas and behaviors could happen in uncommon instances. Report any agitation, restlessness, irritability, hostility, aggression, or impulsivity — notably when you’re having suicidal ideas — so you’ll be able to obtain instant consideration.

How Lengthy Do Paxil Facet Results Final?

When utilizing Paxil, first-week unwanted effects will be worse for some individuals. Unwanted side effects can fluctuate in period and severity relying on the person. Many individuals could expertise some stage of adversarial reactions for as much as a month after starting the treatment. After this era, it’s widespread for signs to subside. In very uncommon situations, unwanted effects can last more than Four weeks.

“Ready for unwanted effects to resolve after 1 – 2 weeks is advisable. This works for gastrointestinal unwanted effects reminiscent of nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Sexual unwanted effects could not resolve with time. Talk along with your physician if in case you have issues.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger

Lengthy-Time period Facet Results of Paxil

The Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness (NAMI) notes there typically aren’t any severe, widespread long-term unwanted effects of Paxil it’s good to be involved with, so long as you employ the treatment as directed. 

Learn how to Handle Paxil Facet Results

Be conscious of the potential repercussions when using Paxil. Addressing the doable unwanted effects will help make sure you acquire most profit from the prescription drug. Listed below are some ideas for managing Paxil unwanted effects:

• Begin with a low dose and steadily enhance as wanted — Beginning at a decrease dose could cut back the danger of experiencing particular unwanted effects like nausea or complications. Focus on along with your physician the most effective dosage to your signs. 
• Take with meals — Taking Paxil with meals could cut back abdomen upset or different digestive points.
• Keep hydrated — Consuming loads of fluids all through the day will help decrease dizziness and lightheadedness attributable to Paxil use.
• Keep away from alcohol — Alcohol consumption ought to typically be averted whereas on any kind of antidepressant treatment, together with Paxil, as it could intervene with its effectiveness and trigger undesirable reactions in some individuals.
• Train recurrently — Common train has constructive advantages on psychological well being. Be certain that to not overexert your self throughout exercises when you really feel drained or weak attributable to treatment utilization.
• Monitor temper adjustments intently — If experiencing any sudden adjustments in temper whereas taking Paxil, contact your physician instantly to allow them to present medical recommendation and may modify your dosage if crucial or suggest different remedy choices.

If unwanted effects don’t disappear, discuss to a health care provider earlier than stopping Paxil treatment. Stopping all of the sudden may end up in Paxil withdrawal signs.

See If Paxil Is Proper for You with Talkspace Psychiatry

Regardless of its effectiveness in treating psychological well being circumstances, Paxil could cause adversarial results that needs to be thought-about earlier than utilization. Talkspace Psychiatry offers a web based platform for individuals desirous to discover if Paxil is correct for them. Join with licensed psychiatrists and psychological well being care suppliers who concentrate on psychological healthcare and medicine administration.

Talkspace gives complete assessments of every affected person’s medical historical past and present signs to find out whether or not or not Paxil could be match for his or her wants. In the event that they do discover it match, they might prescribe you Paxil on-line as a part of your remedy plan. Get began with Talkspace right this moment. 

Sources:

1. PAXIL- paroxetine hydrochloride pill, movie coated . U.S. Meals and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/business/fda-data-standards-advisory-board/structured-product-labeling-resources. Accessed March 26, 2023. 
2. Davis BA, Nagarajan A, Forrest LR, Singh SK. Mechanism of paroxetine (paxil) inhibition of the serotonin transporter. Scientific Stories. 2016;6(1). doi:10.1038/srep23789. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep23789. Accessed March 26, 2023.
3. Marken PA. Choosing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The Main Care Companion For CNS Problems. 2000;2(6). doi:10.4088/pcc.v02n0602. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181142/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
4. Montejo AL, Llorca G, Izquierdo JA, Rico-Villademoros F. Incidence of sexual dysfunction related to antidepressant brokers: a potential multicenter research of 1022 outpatients. J Clin Psychiatry. 62(3):10-21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11229449/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
5. Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA. A comparative overview of Escitalopram, Paroxetine, and sertraline. Worldwide Scientific Psychopharmacology. 2014;29(4):185-196. doi:10.1097/yic.0000000000000023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4047306/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
6. Paroxetine (paxil). NAMI. https://www.nami.org/About-Psychological-Sickness/Remedies/Psychological-Well being-Drugs/Sorts-of-Remedy/paroxetine-(paxil). Accessed March 26, 2023.