What is Paxil?
Belonging to a group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Paxil is an antidepressant which influences particular chemicals in the brain and restores their balance. Paxil is used for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.
What is the most important information I should know about Paxil?
When you follow a course of treatment with Paxil for the first time, there is a risk of suicidal thoughts, especially if you are less than 24. Within the first 12 weeks of treatment you should see your doctor regularly, so that your health condition can be monitored properly.
If any of the below symptoms develops to a certain level of intensity, see you health care provider right away: felling agitated, irritable, hyperactive, impulsive, anxious, aggressive, hostile, or restless; suicidal thought; panic attacks; changes in behavior and mood; depression; or trouble sleeping.
Do not use Paxil if you are currently taking such medications as thioridazine (Mellaril); pimozide (Orap); selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); phenelzine (Nardil); isocarboxazid (Marplan); or tranylcypromine (Parnate). If you need to use Paxil, you should wait two weeks or more after you stopped taking these medications. Never start taking a drug without first informing your doctor.
If you have one of the following conditions, you may need special medical tests and monitoring during treatment, as well as proper dosage adjustment.
Consult with your doctor if you suffer from:
- kidney disease;
- seizure;
- liver disease;
- blood clotting or bleeding disorder;
- bipolar disorder;
- epilepsy;
- or if you have ever been drug addicted.
FDA pregnancy category D. Paxil is expected to result in birth defects, so do not use this medication if you are pregnant or planning to become one. The drug may pass into breast milk. Avoid taking it while you are breastfeeding a baby. If you are pregnant, do not stop using Paxil at once, as more intense depression may develop. See your health care provider for advice.
How should I take Paxil?
Never exceed the dosage of Paxil. Use the drug at the same time, keeping your normal schedule.
Never break, chew or crush the tablet, otherwise its contents may be released at once and make harm to your body.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you occasionally missed a dose of Paxil, you should take it asap. In case it is nearly time for the next dose, just skip the missed one. Never take an extra dose to make up for the missed one, as it will lead to overdosage.
What happens if I overdose?
If overdosage is suspected, you should seek emergency medical assistance. The most common overdosage symptoms are nausea, vomiting, confusion, tremor, changes in vision (e.g. blurred vision), sweating and rapid heartbeat.
