Paroxetine About paroxetine Paroxetine is a type of antidepressant known as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). It's often used to treat depression and also sometimes for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Paroxetine helps many people recover from depression, and it has fewer unwanted effects than older antidepressants. Paroxetine is available on prescription. It comes as tablets and as a liquid that you swallow. Key facts
Who can and cant take paroxetine Paroxetine can be taken by adults aged 18 and over. Check with your doctor before starting to take paroxetine if you:
If you have diabetes, paroxetine can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable. Monitor your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks of treatment with paroxetine and adjust your diabetes treatment if necessary. Take paroxetine once a day, in the morning. It's best to take it with food so it doesn't upset your stomach. Paroxetine tablets come in different strengths ranging from 10mg to 30mg. How much will I take?The dose of paroxetine that you're prescribed depends on why you are taking it. Most people will start with 10mg or 20mg. This might be gradually increased until you and your doctor agree that you have found a dose that suits you. The maximum recommended dose of paroxetine is 50mg or 60mg, depending on why you are taking it. If you are 65 or older the maximum recommended dose is 40mg a day. If you have problems with your liver or kidneys, you may be asked to take a lower dose than usual. With paroxetine liquid, 10ml is equivalent to a 20mg tablet. What if I forget to take it?If you occasionally forget to take a dose of paroxetine, don't worry. If you remember before bed, take your paroxetine straight away. If you remember during the night, or the next day, leave out the dose completely. Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. What if I take too much?The amount of paroxetine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Call your doctor straight away if:Youve taken too much paroxetine by accident and experience symptoms such as:
If you need to go to a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department do not drive yourself - get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance. Take the paroxetine packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you. Like all medicines, paroxetine can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. Some of the common side effects of paroxetine will gradually improve as your body gets used to it. Common side effectsCommon side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Keep taking the medicine but tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away:
Serious side effectsSerious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people. Go to A&E immediately if you get:
Tell a doctor straight away if you get:
Book an appointment with your doctor if you experience:
Serious allergic reactionIn rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to paroxetine. Call 999 or go to A&E if:
You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. These are not all the side effects of paroxetine. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. How to cope with side effects What to do about:
It's important for you and your baby that you stay well during your pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking paroxetine speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Paroxetine has been linked to a very small increased risk of problems for your unborn baby. However, if your depression is not treated during pregnancy this can also increase the chance of problems. You may need to take paroxetine during pregnancy if you need it to remain well. Your doctor can explain the risks and the benefits, and will help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby. For more information about how paroxetine can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read the leaflet about the best use of medicines in pregnancy (BUMPS). Paroxetine and breastfeedingIf your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, paroxetine can be used during breastfeeding. It has been used by many breastfeeding mothers without any problems. Paroxetine passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and has been linked with side effects in very few breastfed babies. It is important to continue taking paroxetine to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby. If you notice that your baby isn't feeding as well as usual, or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible. Tell your doctor if youre:
Some medicines and paroxetine can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start paroxetine:
Mixing paroxetine with herbal remedies and supplementsDo not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you are being treated with paroxetine as this will increase your risk of side effects. ImportantTell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. How does paroxetine work? When will I feel better? How will it make me feel? How long will I take it for? How do I come off paroxetine? Is it safe to take it for a long time? Is paroxetine better than other antidepressants? Will it affect my fertility? Will I gain or lose weight? Can I drive or ride a bike with it? Will it affect my contraception? Will it affect my sex life? Can I drink alcohol with it? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? Are there other treatments that will help? Will recreational drugs affect it? BestCareCompare | ||||||
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