Paroxetine (Paroxetine Hydrochloride)


DNX0466.HTM

Paroxetine (By mouth)
Paroxetine (pa-ROX-e-teen)

Treats depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This medicine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Brand Name(s):Paxil CR, Paxil, Pexeva
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to paroxetine, or if you are pregnant. Do not use this medicine if you are also using pimozide (Orap®), thioridazine (Mellaril®), or have taken an MAO inhibitor (Marplan®, Eldepryl®, Parnate®, or Nardil®) within the past 2 weeks. This medicine is not for use in children.

How to Use This Medicine:
Liquid, Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • You may take this medicine with or without food. This medicine is usually taken in the morning.
  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake the bottle well before measuring each dose.
  • Swallow the tablet and extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Do not use an extended-release tablet that is cracked or chipped.
  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cimetidine (Tagamet®), linezolid (Zyvox®), St. John's wort, sumatriptan (Imitrex®), theophylline (Theo-Dur®), tramadol (Ultram®), tryptophan, medicine for seizures (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, Dilantin®, Luminal®, or Solfoton®), or any other medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, fluoxetine, imipramine, lithium, nortriptyline, Aventyl®, Elavil®, Eskalith®, Lithane®, Lithobid®, Norpramin®, Pamelor®, Prozac®, Sinequan®, or Tofranil®). Tell your doctor if you use a blood thinner (such as warfarin or Coumadin®), diuretics or "water pills" (such as furosemide or Lasix®), or phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®).
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using atomoxetine (Strattera®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), procyclidine (Kemadrin®), risperidone (Risperdal®), or terfenadine (Seldane®). Also tell your doctor if you are using medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, Enkaid®, Quinaglute®, Rythmol®, or Tambocor®), medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as fosamprenavir, ritonavir, Lexiva®, or Norvir®), or any pain or arthritis medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, or Motrin®.
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • 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.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have a recent heart attack, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, epilepsy or seizures, narrow angle glaucoma, or a history of mania or drug abuse.
  • You may need to take this medicine for up to 4 weeks before you feel better. Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time. If you feel that the medicine is not working well, do not take more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or are getting worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Anxiety, agitation, restlessness, or mood or mental changes.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, or problems in urination.
  • Changes in behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others.
  • Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching.
  • Extreme lightheadedness, or fainting.
  • Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
  • Fever, chills, or sore throat.
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
  • Seizures or tremors.
  • Trouble sleeping or unusual dreams.
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Blurred vision.
  • Drowsiness or sleepiness.
  • Headache.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Menstrual cramps.
  • Nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.
  • Problems with sex.
  • Sweating.
  • Tiredness.
  • Vaginal pain or discharge.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.