ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS: Celexa, Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, Remeron, Serzone, Symbyax, Wellbutrin, Zoloft
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ZyprexaPaxil
What Is Paxil?
Paxil is in a class of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Paxil tablets and oral suspension are used to treat:
- Depression
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Paxil CR is used to treat:
- Depression
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Who Should Not Take Paxil? </2>
- Never
take Paxil if you are taking another drug used to treat depression,
called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped
taking an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking Paxil close in time to an
MAOI can result in serious, sometimes fatal reactions including:
- High body temperature
- Coma
- Seizures (convulsions)
MAOI drugs include Nardil (phenelzine sulfate), Parnate
(tranylcypromine sulfate), Marplan (isocarboxazid), and other brands.
- Never
take Paxil if you are taking Mellaril (thioridazine), used to treat
schizophrenia, because it can result in serious heart beat problems.
What Are The Risks?
- High body temperature
- Coma
- Seizures (convulsions)
The following are the major potential risks and side effects of Paxil therapy. However, this list is not complete.
- Possible life-threatening serotonin syndrome when used with triptan medicines: See FDA Alert [07/2006] above.
- Infant persistent pulmonary hypertension: See FDA Alert [07/2006] above.
- Suicidal thoughts or actions: Persons
taking Paxil may be more likely to think about killing themselves or
actually try to do so, especially when Paxil is first started or the
dose is changed. People close to persons taking Paxil can help by
paying attention to changes in user's moods or actions. Contact your
healthcare professional right away if someone using Paxil talks about
or shows signs of killing him or herself. If you are taking Paxil
yourself and you start thinking about killing yourself, tell your
healthcare professional about this side effect right away.
- Stopping Paxil: Do
not stop taking Paxil suddenly because you could get side effects. Your
healthcare professional will slowly decrease your dose.
- Bleeding problems: Paxil
may cause bleeding problems, especially if taken with aspirin, NSAIDs
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen),
or other drugs that affect bleeding.
- Mania: You may become hyperactive, excitable or elated.
- Seizures: You may experience a seizure (convulsion) even if you are not taking Paxil close in time with a MAOI.
- Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare professional if you are or may be pregnant (see FDA Alert [07/2006] above).
In addition to the issue described in the alert, babies delivered to
mothers taking Paxil late in pregnancy have developed problems, such as
difficulty breathing and feeding. Babies delivered to mothers taking
Paxil early in pregnancy are sometimes born with heart problems.
- Sexual problems: You
may have problems with impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal
ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, or decreased libido (sexual
desire).
- Other side effects include
weakness, dry mouth, constipation, yawning, infection, diarrhea,
sweating, dizziness, tremor, nervousness, nausea, difficulty sleeping,
decreased appetite, and sleepiness.
- Tell your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions, especially if you have liver or kidney disease, or glaucoma. Tell your healthcare professional if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed your baby.
Are There Any Interactions With Drugs or Foods?
- Paxil
may interact with medicines other than the ones already mentioned in
this information sheet. These interactions can cause serious side
effects. Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines,
vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.
- If you plan to drink alcohol, talk to your healthcare professional.
How Do I Take Paxil?
- Paxil is taken by mouth, with or without food, once a day.
- Swallow Paxil tablets whole. Do not crush or chew them.
