Paxil is a drug that was released by the Glaxo SmithKline corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Paxil for research in 1992. In May of 1996 Paxil was approved for the treatment of panic disorder and OCD. Paxil is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. Official Paxil Website

Uses

Paxil is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety disorder. Paxil works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain. Paxil has also been used to treat a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder- PMDD), sexual function problems in men (premature ejaculation), nerve problems associated with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), chronic headaches, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What is Paxil?

• Paxil is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic or anxiety, or obsessive or compulsive symptoms.
• Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Paxil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Warning

• Do not take Paxil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take Paxil if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Paxil before taking thioridazine (Mellaril).
• Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you have
· liver disease,
· kidney disease,
· seizures or epilepsy, or
· a manic disorder or suicidal thoughts.
• You may not be able to take Paxil, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Paxil is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Paxil without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• Paxil passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Paxil without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Directions

• Take Paxil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with water.
• Swallow the controlled-release tablets (Paxil CR) whole, without crushing or chewing. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.
• Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring cup or spoon, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
• Paxil may be taken with or without food.
• Try to take Paxil at the same time each day.
• Do not stop taking Paxil without first talking to your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and unpleasant side effects may be experienced if you stop taking Paxil suddenly.
• Store Paxil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Missed Dose

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Overdose

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Paxil overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, seizures, agitation, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils.

What should I avoid while taking Paxil?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Paxil may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking Paxil.

Side Effects

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Paxil and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
· low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
· high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
· unusual bleeding or bruising; or
· fever or chills.
• Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Paxil and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache;
· tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
· nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
· sleepiness or insomnia; or
· decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Drug Interactions

• Do not take Paxil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take Paxil if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Paxil before taking thioridazine (Mellaril).
• Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others;
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
· a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others;
· almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
· carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin);
· lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);
· theophylline (Theobid, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, and others);
· warfarin (Coumadin);
· digoxin (Lanoxin); or
· cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB).
• You may not be able to take Paxil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Paxil. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

More Anti-Depressants

Celexa is a drug that was released by the Forest Pharmaceuticals corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Celexa on July 17, 1998. Celexa is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. The effects of this medication can usually be seen in two to three weeks, though some patients may require four or more weeks to feel better.

Lexapro [escitalopram] is an antidepressant that works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.

Luvox is the brand name for Fluvoxamine, an antidepressant and antiobsessional drug. Luvox is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is often prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This drug is used to relieve anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that cause a person to repeat certain tasks.

Paxil (Paroxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety disorder.

Prozac is an antidepressant often prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.

Remeron is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997. Remeron was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated with depression.

Wellbutrin is a relatively new antidepressant medication and is prescribed to help relieve certain kinds of major depression. As with other antidepressants, it is unknown exactly how Wellbutrin works. Scientists believe that Wellbutrin treats depression by affecting two chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These are two of the chemicals that are believed to help regulate your mood.

Zoloft is an antidepressant drug that was released by the Pfizer corporation in 1991 which aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Zoloft in October of 1997. Zoloft is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells.