info on paxil
paroxetine (pa ROCK sah teen)
What is the most important information I should know about Paxil?
• Do not stop taking Paxil without first talking to your doctor info on paxil. It maytake 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and unpleasant side effectsmay be experienced if you stop taking Paxil suddenly info on paxil.
What is Paxil?
• Paxil is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors info on paxil. Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression,panic or anxiety, or obsessive or compulsive symptoms info on paxil.
• Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panicdisorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia),and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) info on paxil.
• Paxil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medicationguide info on paxil.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Paxil?
• Do not take Paxil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)during the last 2 weeks info on paxil. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurredwhen these medicines have been used together info on paxil. Also, do not take Paxil if youare taking thioridazine (Mellaril) info on paxil. Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeatsmay occur if these medicines are taken together info on paxil. You must wait 5 weeks afterstopping Paxil before taking thioridazine (Mellaril) info on paxil.
• Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you have
· liver disease,
· kidney disease,
· seizures or epilepsy, or
· a manic disorder or suicidal thoughts info on paxil.
• You may not be able to take Paxil, or you may need a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove info on paxil.
• Paxil is in the FDA pregnancy category C info on paxil. This means that it is not knownwhether it will be harmful to an unborn baby info on paxil. Do not take Paxil without firsttalking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment info on paxil.
• Paxil passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby info on paxil. Do not takePaxil without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby info on paxil.
How should I take Paxil?
• Take Paxil exactly as directed by your doctor info on paxil. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou info on paxil.
• Take each dose with water info on paxil.
• Swallow the controlled-release tablets (Paxil CR) whole, without crushingor chewing info on paxil. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly inthe body info on paxil.
• Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose info on paxil. To ensure that youget the correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring cup or spoon,not with a regular table spoon info on paxil. If you do not have a dose-measuring device,ask your pharmacist for one info on paxil.
• Paxil may be taken with or without food info on paxil.
• Try to take Paxil at the same time each day info on paxil.
• Do not stop taking Paxil without first talking to your doctor info on paxil. It maytake 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and unpleasant side effectsmay be experienced if you stop taking Paxil suddenly info on paxil.
• Store Paxil at room temperature away from moisture and heat info on paxil.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember info on paxil. However, if it is almosttime for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take thenext one as directed info on paxil. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor info on paxil.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention info on paxil.
• Symptoms of a Paxil overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, seizures,agitation, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils info on paxil.
What should I avoid while taking Paxil?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities info on paxil. Paxil may cause dizziness or drowsiness info on paxil. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities info on paxil.
• Use alcohol cautiously info on paxil. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizzinesswhile taking Paxil info on paxil.
What are the possible side effects of Paxil?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingPaxil and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
· low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
· high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
· unusual bleeding or bruising; or
· fever or chills info on paxil.
• Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur info on paxil. Continue to takePaxil and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache;
· tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
· nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
· sleepiness or insomnia; or
· decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm info on paxil.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur info on paxil. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome info on paxil.
What other drugs will affect Paxil?
• Do not take Paxil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)during the last 2 weeks info on paxil. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurredwhen these medicines have been used together info on paxil. Also, do not take Paxil if youare taking thioridazine (Mellaril) info on paxil. Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeatsmay occur if these medicines are taken together info on paxil. You must wait 5 weeks afterstopping Paxil before taking thioridazine (Mellaril) info on paxil.
• Before taking Paxil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the followingmedicines:
· a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide(Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion),and others;
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine(Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
· a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin),mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine),and others;
· almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan(Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
· carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin);
· lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);
· theophylline (Theobid, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, and others);
· warfarin (Coumadin);
· digoxin (Lanoxin); or
· cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) info on paxil.
• You may not be able to take Paxil, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above info on paxil.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Paxil info on paxil. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products info on paxil.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Paxil written for healthprofessionals that you may read info on paxil.
|
