What is Paxil?

Paxil is a brand name of a very popular antidepressant. Its generic name is Paroxetine. Paxil is an excellent treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (or PTSD), depressions, obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD), panic disorders, social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Moreover, your doctor can decide on using Paxil as a treatment for some other illnesses and disorders. Paxil is a SSRI, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Sometimes there can be some disbalances of serotonin (this is such a substance, which is in our brain and is responsible for improvement of some mood and mental problems) in our brain, and Paxil works as a restorer of this very serotonin and helps to balance it.

Usage of Paxil

Paxil should be used according to the prescription of your doctor. Take only prescribed dosage and adhere doctor’s instructions. Here are some facts to know about using Paxil.

  • There is a Patient Information Sheet which comes with Paxil. It’s recommended to read it before taking this medicine.
  • Paxil can be taken either with or without food.
  • It’s easier not to forget taking Paxil everyday by taking it at the same time.
  • If you feel better after some time of taking Paxil, don’t stop the treatment and don’t decrease dosages.
  • Paxil treatment shouldn’t be stopped abruptly, since this may cause various side effects. Among side effects which can occur if you stop taking Paxil abruptly are: mood and mental changes, tingling or numbness of your skin, confusion, dizziness, trouble sleeping, tiredness or headache. So, consult your doctor; he will decide on the best way for you to stop treatment.
  • It’s not allowed to take two doses of Paxil at one time. If you forgot to take one, take it ASAP. But if it’s high time to take the next dose, don’t take the missed one.
  • If you have any questions about using Paxil or your physical and mental state while you are taking it, ask your doctor.

Paxil: Side Effects.

Paxil is a rather safe medicine, but there can arise some minor or severe side effects. You should visit your doctor if some of them worry you or become more persistent. Here are several minor side effects of Paxil, which are most usual:

Blurred vision, anxiety, decreased sexual ability or desire, constipation, dizziness, diarrhea, dry mouth, drowsiness, increased sweating, gas, loss of appetite, increased urination, nervousness, nausea, trouble concentrating, stomach upset, skin sensations, trouble sleeping, yawning, weakness.

Also there may occur some severe side effects, and it’s also a signal to visit your doctor:

Allergic reactions (severe), like hives, rash, difficulty breathing, itching, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or lips, tightness in the chest; bloody or black stools, bizarre behavior, exaggerated reflexes, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, sore throat, fever, worsening or new agitation, hallucinations, loss of coordination, aggressiveness, panic attacks, impulsiveness, hostility, irritability, exaggerated well-being feeling, inability to sit still, restlessness, ringing in the ears (severe or persistent), painful erection, peeling skin (or swollen, red or blistered), seizures, trouble sleeping or anxiety (persistent or severe), weight loss, suicidal thoughts, stomach pain, unusual bruising or bleeding, tremor, vision changes, mood or mental changes (severe or unusual), worsening of depression.