Xet 20mg (Paroxetine)

Xet general information

What is Xet used for?

Xet 20mg tablets (generic Paxil or Aropax) 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. Xet 20 tablets 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 Xet work?

Xet tablets 20mg contain paroxetine, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Xet 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 Xet tablets 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 Xet 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 Xet contain?

Xet 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.

Treating depression with Xet

Xet 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. Xet 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.

Xet for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Xet 20 tablets 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. Xet 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 Xet?

The more common side effects reported when taking Xet 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 Xet not be used?

You should not use Xet 20 if you:

• are allergic to paroxetine or any of the ingredients in Xet tablets 20mg
• 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 Xet or within 14 days of taking Xet
• taking other medication that interact with Xet, including: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, metoprolol for high blood pressure, tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline, Fosamprenavir+ritonavir for HIV, tryptophan, or phentermine (mood alteration), procyclidine for Parkinson’s disease, the antipsychotics pimozide and risperidone, herbal remedies containing St. John´s Wort
• are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Xet

What medications interact with Xet?

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

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Xet: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression; serotonergic drugs like tryptophan and phentermine (mood alteration) or the analgesic tramadol, as these may increase risk of serotonin syndrome
• Drugs that affect Xet: Fosamprenavir+ritonavir for HIV
• Drugs that are affected by Xet: 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 Xet be taken?

You should take your Xet tablets 20mg with a glass of water, swallowed whole, with or without food usually once a day, at the same time each day, for several weeks or months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for.

How long should you take Xet?

You should take your Xet tablets 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.

Missed dose of Xet

If you miss a dose of Xet 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 Xet be stored?

You should keep your Xet tablets 20mg in their blister packs until use and store below 30°C in a cool dry place.