Paxil (Paroxetine 20mg)

Paxil general information

What is Paxil used for?

Paxil tablets 20mg are used to treat depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  Paxil tablets 20mg are also used to prevent relapse of depression and recurrence of further depressive episodes; and also to treat other mood disorders that affect daily activities and relationships with others including:

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children
• Panic disorder (with and without agoraphobia)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)

How does Paxil work?

Paxil tablets 20mg contain paroxetine, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).  Paxil tablets 20mg act in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance that is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack of serotonin (a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) which controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  Paroxetine in Paxil tablets 20mg blocks the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another.  If the re-uptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer.  The action of Paxil tablets 20mg helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.

What does Paxil contain?

Paxil tablets 20mg contain the active ingredient paroxetine hydrochloride, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat depression and other mood disorders.  They also contain magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycollate (Type A), anhydrous lactose.

Treating depression with Paxil

Paxil tablets 20mg contain paroxetine, which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  One of the major causes of depression is thought to be a lack of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate, which controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  Paxil works by specifically blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of depression. 

Paxil for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Paxil tablets 20mg contain paroxetine, which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including intrusive unwanted repetitive thoughts and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as hand-washing or counting, to try and prevent some imagined dreaded event.  One of the major causes of OCD is thought to be low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) and if there is a lack of serotonin, the brain cells involved in nerve pathways that control mood changes generate feelings of anxiety and panic instead of well-being, which is associated with high levels of serotonin.  Paxil works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of OCD.

What are the side effects of Paxil?

The more common side effects reported when taking Paxil tablets 20mg are generally mild and transient and usually disappear with continued treatment. They include: headache, unsteadiness when walking, tremors, decreased or loss of appetite, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, sleeplessness, unusual dreams, fatigue, drowsiness, increased sweating, sexual problems, bruising, impaired concentration, and weight gain.

When should Paxil not be used?

You should not use Paxil tablets 20mg if you:

• are allergic to paroxetine or any of the ingredients in Paxil tablets
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• are taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Paxil or within 14 days of taking Paxil
• taking other medication that interact with Paxil, including: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, metoprolol for high blood pressure, tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline, fosamprenavir and ritonavir for HIV, the appetite suppressant phentermine, procyclidine for Parkinson’s disease, the antipsychotics pimozide and risperidone, herbal remedies containing St. John´s Wort, oral anticoagulants like warfarin

What medications interact with Paxil?

Several medications interact with Paxil tablets 20mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Paxil or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Paxil: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression; serotonergic drugs like the appetite suppressant phentermine or the analgesic tramadol or the herbal remedy St. John´s Wort as these may increase risk of serotonin syndrome; oral anticoagulants like warfarin as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Paxil
• Drugs that affect Paxil: fosamprenavir and ritonavir for HIV
• Drugs that are affected by Paxil: metoprolol for high blood pressure, tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline, tamoxifen for breast cancer, procyclidine for Parkinson’s disease, the antipsychotics pimozide and risperidone, tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline,

How should Paxil be taken?

You should take your Paxil tablets 20mg with a glass of water, swallowed whole and with food usually once a day, at the same time each day preferably morning.  Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for.  You should continue to take your Paxil tablets 20mg regularly for several weeks or months, usually for 6 months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. 

How long should you take Paxil?

You should continue to take your Paxil tablets 20mg regularly for several weeks or months, usually for 6 months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. 

Missed dose of Paxil

If you miss a dose of Paxil tablets 20mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Paxil be stored?

You should store your Paxil below 25°C in a cool dry place.