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Paroxetine (Oral route)

Pronunciation:

par-OX-e-teen

Brand Names:

  • Brisdelle
  • Paxil
  • Paxil CR
  • Pexeva

Dosage Forms:

  • Capsule
  • Tablet
  • Suspension
  • Tablet, Extended Release

Warnings:

Oral route(Capsule)

Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been shown to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients when used to treat major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders. Because paroxetine mesylate is an SSRI, monitor patients closely for worsening and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber .

Oral route(Tablet)

Warning: Suicidal Thoughts and BehaviorsAntidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Paroxetine mesylate is not approved for use in pediatric patients .

Oral route(Tablet;Tablet, Extended Release;Suspension)

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Paroxetine hydrochloride is not approved for use in pediatric patients ..

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Central Nervous System Agent

Pharmacologic—

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

Uses of This Medicine:

Paroxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Brisdelle® is used only to treat moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause.

Paroxetine belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are thought to work by increasing the activity of the chemical called serotonin in the brain.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of paroxetine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Use of Brisdelle® is not indicated in the pediatric population.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of paroxetine in the elderly. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults, and are more likely to have hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood), which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving paroxetine.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

  • Bepridil
  • Bromopride
  • Cisapride
  • Dronedarone
  • Eliglustat
  • Isocarboxazid
  • Levoketoconazole
  • Linezolid
  • Mesoridazine
  • Methylene Blue
  • Ozanimod
  • Phenelzine
  • Pimozide
  • Piperaquine
  • Potassium Citrate
  • Procarbazine
  • Rasagiline
  • Safinamide
  • Saquinavir
  • Selegiline
  • Sparfloxacin
  • Terfenadine
  • Thioridazine
  • Tranylcypromine
  • Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Abciximab
  • Abiraterone Acetate
  • Aceclofenac
  • Acemetacin
  • Acenocoumarol
  • Adagrasib
  • Alfentanil
  • Alfuzosin
  • Almotriptan
  • Amantadine
  • Amineptine
  • Amiodarone
  • Amisulpride
  • Amitriptyline
  • Amitriptylinoxide
  • Amoxapine
  • Amphetamine
  • Amtolmetin Guacil
  • Anagrelide
  • Anileridine
  • Apixaban
  • Apomorphine
  • Ardeparin
  • Argatroban
  • Aripiprazole
  • Aripiprazole Lauroxil
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Asenapine
  • Aspirin
  • Astemizole
  • Atazanavir
  • Atomoxetine
  • Azithromycin
  • Bedaquiline
  • Bemiparin
  • Benzhydrocodone
  • Benzphetamine
  • Betrixaban
  • Bivalirudin
  • Brexpiprazole
  • Bromfenac
  • Brompheniramine
  • Bufexamac
  • Buprenorphine
  • Bupropion
  • Buserelin
  • Buspirone
  • Butorphanol
  • Cangrelor
  • Carbamazepine
  • Carvedilol
  • Celecoxib
  • Ceritinib
  • Certoparin
  • Chloroquine
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Choline Salicylate
  • Cilostazol
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Citalopram
  • Clarithromycin
  • Clofazimine
  • Clomipramine
  • Clonixin
  • Clopidogrel
  • Clothiapine
  • Clozapine
  • Cobicistat
  • Cocaine
  • Codeine
  • Crizotinib
  • Cyclobenzaprine
  • Dabigatran Etexilate
  • Dabrafenib
  • Dalteparin
  • Danaparoid
  • Darunavir
  • Dasatinib
  • Degarelix
  • Delamanid
  • Desipramine
  • Desirudin
  • Deslorelin
  • Desmopressin
  • Desvenlafaxine
  • Deutetrabenazine
  • Dexibuprofen
  • Dexketoprofen
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Dextromethorphan
  • Dibenzepin
  • Diclofenac
  • Difenoxin
  • Diflunisal
  • Digoxin
  • Dihydrocodeine
  • Diphenoxylate
  • Dipyridamole
  • Dipyrone
  • Disopyramide
  • Dofetilide
  • Dolasetron
  • Domperidone
  • Donepezil
  • Doxepin
  • Doxorubicin
  • Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
  • Droperidol
  • Droxicam
  • Duloxetine
  • Ebastine
  • Edoxaban
  • Efavirenz
  • Eletriptan
  • Encainide
  • Encorafenib
  • Enoxaparin
  • Entrectinib
  • Epoprostenol
  • Eptifibatide
  • Eribulin
  • Erythromycin
  • Escitalopram
  • Ethylmorphine
  • Etodolac
  • Etofenamate
  • Etoricoxib
  • Famotidine
  • Felbamate
  • Felbinac
  • Fenfluramine
  • Fenoprofen
  • Fentanyl
  • Fepradinol
  • Feprazone
  • Fexinidazole
  • Fingolimod
  • Flecainide
  • Floctafenine
  • Fluconazole
  • Flufenamic Acid
  • Fluoxetine
  • Flurbiprofen
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Fondaparinux
  • Formoterol
  • Foscarnet
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Fostemsavir
  • Frovatriptan
  • Galantamine
  • Gatifloxacin
  • Gemifloxacin
  • Gepirone
  • Glasdegib
  • Glucagon
  • Glycopyrrolate
  • Glycopyrronium Tosylate
  • Gonadorelin
  • Goserelin
  • Granisetron
  • Halofantrine
  • Haloperidol
  • Heparin
  • Histrelin
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone
  • Hydroquinidine
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Hydroxytryptophan
  • Hydroxyzine
  • Ibuprofen
  • Ibutilide
  • Iloperidone
  • Iloprost
  • Imipramine
  • Indomethacin
  • Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
  • Iobenguane I 123
  • Iobenguane I 131
  • Itraconazole
  • Ivabradine
  • Ivosidenib
  • Ketobemidone
  • Ketoconazole
  • Ketoprofen
  • Ketorolac
  • Lapatinib
  • Lasmiditan
  • Lefamulin
  • Lenvatinib
  • Lepirudin
  • Leuprolide
  • Levofloxacin
  • Levomilnacipran
  • Levorphanol
  • Lisdexamfetamine
  • Lithium
  • Lofepramine
  • Lofexidine
  • Lorcaserin
  • Lornoxicam
  • Loxoprofen
  • Lumefantrine
  • Lumiracoxib
  • Macimorelin
  • Meclofenamate
  • Mefenamic Acid
  • Mefloquine
  • Melitracen
  • Meloxicam
  • Meperidine
  • Metaxalone
  • Methacholine
  • Methadone
  • Methamphetamine
  • Methotrexate
  • Methotrimeprazine
  • Methoxyphenamine
  • Metoclopramide
  • Metronidazole
  • Mexiletine
  • Mifepristone
  • Milnacipran
  • Mirtazapine
  • Mizolastine
  • Mobocertinib
  • Moricizine
  • Morniflumate
  • Morphine
  • Morphine Sulfate Liposome
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Nabumetone
  • Nadroparin
  • Nafarelin
  • Nalbuphine
  • Naproxen
  • Naratriptan
  • Nebivolol
  • Nefazodone
  • Nelfinavir
  • Nepafenac
  • Nicergoline
  • Nicomorphine
  • Niflumic Acid
  • Nilotinib
  • Nimesulide
  • Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
  • Norfloxacin
  • Nortriptyline
  • Octreotide
  • Ofloxacin
  • Olanzapine
  • Ondansetron
  • Opipramol
  • Opium
  • Opium Alkaloids
  • Osilodrostat
  • Osimertinib
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Oxaprozin
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Oxyphenbutazone
  • Pacritinib
  • Paliperidone
  • Palonosetron
  • Panobinostat
  • Papaveretum
  • Papaverine
  • Parecoxib
  • Paregoric
  • Parnaparin
  • Pasireotide
  • Pazopanib
  • Pentamidine
  • Pentazocine
  • Perphenazine
  • Phenindione
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenprocoumon
  • Phenylbutazone
  • Piketoprofen
  • Pimavanserin
  • Pipamperone
  • Piritramide
  • Piroxicam
  • Pitolisant
  • Ponesimod
  • Posaconazole
  • Prajmaline
  • Pranoprofen
  • Prasugrel
  • Primidone
  • Probucol
  • Procainamide
  • Prochlorperazine
  • Proglumetacin
  • Promethazine
  • Propafenone
  • Propyphenazone
  • Proquazone
  • Protein C
  • Protriptyline
  • Quetiapine
  • Quinidine
  • Quinine
  • Quizartinib
  • Ranolazine
  • Relugolix
  • Remifentanil
  • Revefenacin
  • Reviparin
  • Ribociclib
  • Risperidone
  • Ritonavir
  • Rivaroxaban
  • Rizatriptan
  • Rofecoxib
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Salsalate
  • Scopolamine
  • Secretin Human
  • Selexipag
  • Selpercatinib
  • Sertindole
  • Sertraline
  • Sevoflurane
  • Sibutramine
  • Siponimod
  • Sodium Phosphate
  • Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
  • Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
  • Sodium Salicylate
  • Solifenacin
  • Sorafenib
  • Sotalol
  • St John's Wort
  • Sufentanil
  • Sulfinpyrazone
  • Sulindac
  • Sulodexide
  • Sulpiride
  • Sultopride
  • Sumatriptan
  • Sunitinib
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tamoxifen
  • Tamsulosin
  • Tapentadol
  • Telaprevir
  • Telavancin
  • Telithromycin
  • Tenoxicam
  • Tetrabenazine
  • Theophylline
  • Tianeptine
  • Tiaprofenic Acid
  • Ticagrelor
  • Ticlopidine
  • Tilidine
  • Timolol
  • Tinzaparin
  • Tiotropium
  • Tirofiban
  • Tocilizumab
  • Tolfenamic Acid
  • Tolmetin
  • Tolperisone
  • Tolterodine
  • Toremifene
  • Tramadol
  • Trazodone
  • Treprostinil
  • Triclabendazole
  • Trimipramine
  • Triptorelin
  • Tropisetron
  • Tryptophan
  • Valbenazine
  • Valdecoxib
  • Vandetanib
  • Vardenafil
  • Vemurafenib
  • Venlafaxine
  • Vernakalant
  • Vilanterol
  • Vilazodone
  • Vinflunine
  • Voclosporin
  • Vorapaxar
  • Voriconazole
  • Vorinostat
  • Vortioxetine
  • Warfarin
  • Zolmitriptan
  • Zotepine
  • Zuclopenthixol

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Amprenavir
  • Cimetidine
  • Cyproheptadine
  • Fluphenazine
  • Fosamprenavir
  • Ginkgo
  • Metoprolol
  • Phenytoin

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Bipolar disorder (mood disorder with mania and depression), or risk of or
  • Bleeding problems or
  • Bone problems or
  • Glaucoma, angle-closure or
  • Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or
  • Mania, history of or
  • Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Kidney disease, severe or
  • Liver disease, severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Paroxetine may be taken with or without food.

You may have to take paroxetine for a month or longer before you begin to feel better.

If you are taking the oral suspension, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Use a small measuring cup or a measuring spoon to measure each dose. The teaspoons and tablespoons that are used for serving and eating food do not measure exact amounts.

Swallow the tablet or extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • For moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause:
      • Adults—7.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, at bedtime.
      • Children—Use is not recommended.
  • For oral dosage form (suspension):
    • For depression:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For generalized anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg (30 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For panic disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 10 milligrams (mg) (5 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg (30 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For posttraumatic stress disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For social anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 20 mg (10 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For depression:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For generalized anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For panic disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 10 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For posttraumatic stress disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For social anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 20 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • For depression:
      • Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 62.5 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For panic disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 75 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For premenstrual dysphoric disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 25 mg per day.
      • Older adults and children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For social anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 37.5 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 37.5 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not take paroxetine with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], methylene blue injection, phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). Do not start taking paroxetine during the 2 weeks after you stop a MAO inhibitor and wait 2 weeks after stopping paroxetine before you start taking a MAO inhibitor. If you take them together or do not wait 2 weeks, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe convulsions.

Do not take pimozide (Orap®) or thioridazine (Mellaril®) while you are taking this medicine. Using these medicines together can cause very serious heart problems.

Paroxetine may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if taken together with some medicines. Do not use paroxetine with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, meperidine, methadone, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Demerol®, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Methadose®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®). Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines with paroxetine.

This medicine may decrease the amount of sperm men make and affect their ability to have children. If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.

Paroxetine may cause some teenagers and young adults to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Some people may have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. If you or your caregiver notice any of these unwanted effects, tell your doctor right away. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This will decrease the chance of having withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, breathing problems, chest pain, confusion, diarrhea, dizziness or lightheadedness, fast heartbeat, headache, increased sweating, muscle pain, nausea, restlessness, runny nose, trouble in sleeping, trembling or shaking, unusual tiredness or weakness, vision changes, or vomiting.

Check with your doctor right away if you develop the following symptoms during the first few weeks of treatment with paroxetine: inability to sit still, need to keep moving, or restlessness.

The use of alcohol is not recommended in patients who are taking paroxetine.

Paroxetine may cause some people to become drowsy or have blurred vision. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or able to see clearly.

Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) may occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, difficulty concentrating, headaches, memory problems, weakness, and unsteadiness.

This medicine may increase your risk for bleeding problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking other medicines that thin the blood, including NSAIDs (eg, aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Voltaren®), or warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).

This medicine may increase the risk of bone fractures. Tell your doctor if you have unexplained bone pain, tenderness, swelling, or bruising. Also, ask your doctor about ways to keep your bones strong to help prevent fractures.

Check with your doctor right away if you have decreased interest in sexual intercourse, delayed or inability to have an orgasm in women, inability to have or keep an erection in men, or loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance. These could be symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common
Agitation
chest pain or tightness
chills
cold sweats
confusion
difficulty with breathing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
muscle pain or weakness
skin rash
Rare
Absence of or decrease in body movements
bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
difficulty with speaking
dry mouth
fever
inability to move the eyes
incomplete, sudden, or unusual body or facial movements
increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
poor coordination
red or purple patches on the skin
restlessness
seizures
shivering
sweating
talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity you cannot control
trembling or shaking, or twitching
Incidence not known
Back, leg, or stomach pains
blindness
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blue-yellow color blindness
blurred vision
constipation
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
decreased frequency or amount of urine
decreased vision
difficulty with swallowing
electric shock sensations
eye pain
fainting
general body swelling
headache
high fever
hives or itching skin
inability to move the arms and legs
inability to sit still
increased thirst
incremental or ratchet-like movement of the muscle
joint pain
light-colored stools
lockjaw
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
lower back or side pain
muscle spasm, especially of the neck and back
muscle tension or tightness
need to keep moving
painful or difficult urination
painful or prolonged erection of the penis
pale skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
raised red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs, or ankles
red, irritated eyes
sensitivity to the sun
skin redness or soreness
slow heart rate
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
spasms of the throat
stiff muscles
stomach pain
sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
swelling of the breasts
swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
swollen or painful glands
tightness in the chest
unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight gain
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
delayed or inability to have an orgasm
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
decreased appetite
heartburn
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
passing gas
problems with urinating
runny or stuffy nose
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stomach discomfort or upset
trouble sleeping
Less common
Abnormal dreams
change in sense of taste
congestion
discouragement, feeling sad, or empty
drugged feeling
fast or irregular breathing
feeling of unreality
headache, severe and throbbing
increased appetite
itching of the vagina or genital area
itching, pain, redness, or swelling of the eye or eyelid
lack of emotion
loss of interest or pleasure
lump in the throat
menstrual changes
pain during sexual intercourse
problems with memory
sense of detachment from self or body
sneezing
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
tightness in the throat
tingling, burning, or prickling sensations
trouble concentrating
voice changes
watering of the eyes
weight loss
yawn
Incidence not known
Decrease in smell
loss of sense of smell

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Last Updated: 11/16/2023

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
All rights reserved.

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