Side Effects of Paxil to Be Aware of — Talkspace

Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant that’s FDA-approved to deal with a number of psychological well being situations. Paxil is in a category of medication referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which alter serotonin ranges within the mind to enhance temper.  

Paxil is accepted to deal with:

• Major depressive dysfunction (MDD) 
• Generalized anxiousness dysfunction
• Panic dysfunction 
• Social anxiousness dysfunction 
• Obsessive-compulsive dysfunction (OCD) 
• Premenstrual dysphoric dysfunction (PMDD) 
• Post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD)

Off-label (that means it hasn’t been FDA-approved to deal with however has been discovered efficient), Paxil will be prescribed to deal with OCD in youngsters and irritable bowel syndrome.

Research exhibits that Paxil is likely one of the most potent SSRIs available on the market. While it may successfully deal with a number of psychological well being situations, it’s vital to notice that like most drugs, it additionally has unwanted effects. In reality, Paxil might need extra unwanted effects than another SSRIs. Before you are taking Paxil (or any treatment), it’s vital to speak to your physician about potential dangers you ought to be conscious of.

Being acutely aware of potential penalties is important — proceed studying to be taught in regards to the numerous unwanted effects of Paxil you need to find out about earlier than beginning therapy.

Common Side Effects of Paxil

Many unwanted effects of Paxil are gentle and subside as your physique adjusts to the treatment. 

Side results of Paxil can embody:

• Nausea
• Weakness
• Drowsiness 
• Weakness 
• Sexual dysfunction
• Risk of bleeding
• Weight achieve

Nausea 

Nausea is likely one of the unwanted effects Paxil could cause. Nausea can fluctuate in depth, however sometimes subsides inside a couple of days or perhaps weeks. If you expertise nausea whereas taking Paxil, you may need to strive consuming smaller meals extra steadily all through the day or taking your treatment with/with out meals.  

Sleeping issues

Sleeping issues are one other widespread aspect impact related to taking Paxil. This might imply experiencing problem falling asleep or waking up unexpectedly throughout the night time. If you’re having points falling or staying asleep these days, strive going to mattress on the similar time every night time, avoiding caffeine late within the day, and limiting your use of electronics earlier than bedtime.

Drowsiness 

According to some analysis, Paxil use could trigger extra drowsiness than different antidepressants. However, this typically subsides when you turn out to be accustomed to Paxil’s results in your physique.

Weakness 

Weakness is one other aspect impact that Paxil customers expertise. This, too, will seemingly resolve as you turn out to be used to the drugs. If the fatigue turns into an excessive amount of, your physician may need to take into account speaking about decreasing your dose so that you don’t really feel overwhelmed all through your day.  

Sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is an unlucky chance when utilizing SSRIs like Paxil. Some analysis suggests Paxil might need the highest charge of sexual dysfunction of all of the medicine on this class. This is as a result of Paxil impacts hormones chargeable for libido, thus resulting in a lowered need for intercourse and different points like delayed ejaculation.

Risk of bleeding

There is an elevated threat of bleeding when taking SSRIs resembling Paxil. That mentioned, this isn’t essentially one thing it’s essential fear about until you’ve gotten different threat elements for bleeding.

Weight achieve

Weight achieve is usually related to Paxil greater than different SSRIs. How a lot you may achieve relies upon closely upon elements like way of life decisions, physique chemistry, and weight earlier than beginning Paxil. Learn extra about Paxil weight achieve for extra data.

“Decreased sexual desire, delayed ejaculation, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation are common side effects. Please reach out to your doctor if they get worse.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger

Serious Side Effects of Paxil

Paxil could assist deal with despair and anxiousness, however it may additionally result in extreme opposed reactions.

Serotonin syndrome

Excess serotonin within the physique could cause a critical and probably life-threatening situation referred to as serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a possible aspect impact that’s extra widespread in individuals who take increased doses of Paxil. 

Symptoms embody agitation, confusion, sweating, muscle twitching and spasms, fever, and elevated coronary heart charge. If you’ve gotten any signs of serotonin syndrome whereas on Paxil — or every other SSRI antidepressant — get medical assist instantly.  

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

When stopping Paxil immediately or decreasing the dosage too shortly, it may result in what’s generally known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. This happens when your mind can’t alter shortly sufficient to decrease serotonin ranges. 

Common indicators could contain feeling queasy, lightheadedness, exhaustion, and flu-like sensations resembling aches and chills. In some instances, there may be vivid desires or nightmares that might last as long as a number of weeks after stopping the treatment abruptly. To keep away from such a response, it’s greatest to slowly scale back your dose over time with steerage out of your physician fairly than quitting chilly turkey by yourself.

Risk of suicidal ideas and behaviors

It is important that healthcare suppliers intently monitor folks taking Paxil long-term, as the danger of suicidal ideas and behaviors could happen in uncommon instances. Report any agitation, restlessness, irritability, hostility, aggression, or impulsivity — notably if you happen to’re having suicidal ideas — so you possibly can obtain speedy consideration.

How Long Do Paxil Side Effects Last?

When utilizing Paxil, first-week unwanted effects will be worse for some folks. Side results can fluctuate in period and severity relying on the person. Many folks could expertise some degree of opposed reactions for as much as a month after starting the treatment. After this era, it’s widespread for signs to subside. In very uncommon situations, unwanted effects can last more than 4 weeks.

“Waiting for side effects to resolve after 1 – 2 weeks is recommended. This works for gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Sexual side effects may not resolve with time. Communicate with your doctor if you have concerns.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger

Long-Term Side Effects of Paxil

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) notes there usually aren’t any critical, widespread long-term unwanted effects of Paxil it’s essential be involved with, so long as you employ the treatment as directed. 

How to Manage Paxil Side Effects

Be conscious of the potential repercussions when using Paxil. Addressing the potential unwanted effects might help make sure you achieve most profit from the prescription drug. Here are some ideas for managing Paxil unwanted effects:

• Start with a low dose and step by step improve as wanted — Starting at a decrease dose could scale back the danger of experiencing particular unwanted effects like nausea or complications. Discuss together with your physician one of the best dosage to your signs. 
• Take with meals — Taking Paxil with meals could scale back abdomen upset or different digestive points.
• Stay hydrated — Drinking loads of fluids all through the day might help reduce dizziness and lightheadedness attributable to Paxil use.
• Avoid alcohol — Alcohol consumption ought to usually be averted whereas on any sort of antidepressant treatment, together with Paxil, as it may intervene with its effectiveness and trigger undesirable reactions in some folks.
• Exercise often — Regular train has constructive advantages on psychological well being. Make certain to not overexert your self throughout exercises if you happen to really feel drained or weak as a consequence of treatment utilization.
• Monitor temper modifications intently — If experiencing any sudden modifications in temper whereas taking Paxil, contact your physician instantly to allow them to present medical recommendation and may alter your dosage if obligatory or suggest various therapy choices.

If unwanted effects don’t disappear, discuss to a health care provider earlier than stopping Paxil treatment. Stopping immediately may end up in Paxil withdrawal signs.

See If Paxil Is Right for You with Talkspace Psychiatry

Despite its effectiveness in treating psychological well being situations, Paxil could cause opposed results that must be thought-about earlier than utilization. Talkspace Psychiatry offers a web based platform for folks eager to discover if Paxil is true for them. Connect with licensed psychiatrists and psychological well being care suppliers who specialise in psychological healthcare and medicine administration.

Talkspace affords complete assessments of every affected person’s medical historical past and present signs to find out whether or not or not Paxil can be a great match for his or her wants. If they do discover it a great match, they could prescribe you Paxil on-line as a part of your therapy plan. Get began with Talkspace immediately. 

Sources:

1. PAXIL- paroxetine hydrochloride pill, movie coated . U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/industry/fda-data-standards-advisory-board/structured-product-labeling-resources. Accessed March 26, 2023. 
2. Davis BA, Nagarajan A, Forrest LR, Singh SK. Mechanism of paroxetine (paxil) inhibition of the serotonin transporter. Scientific Reports. 2016;6(1). doi:10.1038/srep23789. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep23789. Accessed March 26, 2023.
3. Marken PA. Selecting a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders. 2000;2(6). doi:10.4088/pcc.v02n0602. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181142/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
4. Montejo AL, Llorca G, Izquierdo JA, Rico-Villademoros F. Incidence of sexual dysfunction related to antidepressant brokers: a potential multicenter research of 1022 outpatients. J Clin Psychiatry. 62(3):10-21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11229449/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
5. Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA. A comparative assessment of Escitalopram, Paroxetine, and sertraline. International Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2014;29(4):185-196. doi:10.1097/yic.0000000000000023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4047306/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
6. Paroxetine (paxil). NAMI. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/paroxetine-(paxil). Accessed March 26, 2023.