Paxil

Paxil has long been known as an SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. It’s a treatment for sudden panic attacks and certain phobia. Learn more about this drug and how this can be helpful for your condition.

The generic name for Paxil is Paroxetine. As previously mentioned, Paxil is among the SSRIs used to treat anxiety disorders, depression and a few personality disorders.

Paxil works by relaxing the mood or tension that is building up on a patient experiencing depression. Aside from the said conditions, Paxil is given to patients suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress and sometimes PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Interestingly, in the United States, Paxil and other Paroxetine brands are often referred to as anti-shyness medicine since it produces positive results in patients experiencing social anxiety. The first Paroxetine drug was made available in 1992 by a company called GSK or GlaxoSmithKline.

Before taking this drug, the doctor first needs to know if you are currently taking other medicines. Drug interactions may cause undesirable effect of Paxil in your system. The doctor must know if you are taking the following: aspirin, NSAIDs or non-steroidal inflammatory drugs, diflunisal, Diclofenac, etodolac, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, flubiprofen, ketoprofen, indomethacin, meclofenamate, mefenamic acid, naproxen, nabumetone, meloxicam, oxaprozin, Piroxicam, rofecoxib, tolmetin and indomethacin. These drugs if taken along with Paxil can result to bleeding.

Taking atomoxetine is not also advised if Paxil is prescribed. Other drug interactions include: buspirone, dextrmethorpan, bromocriptine, levodopa, lithium, meperidine, nefazodone, pentazocine, sumatriptan, tramadol, tryptophan, trazodone, Venlafaxine, moclobernide, pimozide, St. John’s Wort, thioridiazine, tricyclic antidepressants and warfarin.

Taking Paxil with Venlafaxine may cause serotonin syndrome. It is a rare but serious condition that displays symptoms such as fever, improper coordination, shivering, confusion, restlessness, diarrhea, sweating, shaking, trembling, over enthusiasm in talking and twitching.

Moclobemide can also cause serotonin syndrome if taken along with Paxil. Doctors will not recommend taking isocarboxazid, selegiline, and tranylcypromine with Paxil. If treatment of any MAO or Monoamine oxidase inhibitor has been started, never take Paxil on the first couple of weeks. Parallel treatment of MAO inhibitor and Paxil can cause stomach problems, increase in body temperature, intestinal problem, confusion, agitation, high blood pressure, serotonin syndrome and serious convulsion. Discuss clearly with your doctor about this matter.

Your body should also be checked with any medical condition. Presence of certain medical problems may influence the treating effect of Paxil or may aggravate the condition. Tell the doctor if you have mood disorder or bipolar disorder, brain damage or brain disease, history of seizure or epilepsy, mental depression, glaucoma, heart attack, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease or history of mania.

On taking Paxil, make sure you are fairly oriented with the proper ways of administering the drug. Take Paxil as a whole. Do not crush, chew or cut the Paxil tablet. To help intake, drink plenty of water. Sit up straight to encourage swallowing and gulping of the tablet. Ask your doctor about taking Paxil with or without food. Make sure to follow instructions on diet and the right amount of food that should be taken with Paxil medication. Do not increase or decrease your dosage if the doctor does not tell you so.

Avoid missing out on a single dose. If this happens, take your Paxil tablet the soonest time you remember. If it is close to the next schedule, just skip the missed dosing and resume intake on the next schedule. Do not double your dose just to catch up with the missed one.

Ask your doctor about the side effects of Paxil drug. If any of the Paxil side effects start to become intolerable, contact your doctor for a medical advice. Give your doctor a regular visit. If you have an upcoming surgery, make sure you to inform your doctor and your surgeon about your Paxil medication.