Paxil

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?
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?

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.