Paroxetine
About Paroxetine
Paroxetine belongs to a group of medicines called antidepressants used to treat a major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoria disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. Depression is a mood disorder characterised by sadness, unhappiness, anger, hopelessness or loss that interferes with a person’s daily activities.
Paroxetine contains ‘Paroxetine’, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It works by inhibiting serotonin's reuptake, a mood-enhancing chemical messenger in the brain that communicates between brain cells. This helps increase serotonin concentrations in the nerve synapse, thereby regulating mood and treating depression and anxiety disorders.
Take Paroxetine as prescribed. You are advised to take Paroxetine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition and response to the treatment. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as insomnia (difficulty sleeping), dizziness, headache, diarrhoea, nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, loss of appetite, and sexual disturbances. You are advised to talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Do not take Paroxetine if you are pregnant, as it may cause harm to the foetus. Consult your doctor before taking Paroxetine if you are breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery as Paroxetine may cause dizziness, confusion, sleepiness and blurred vision. Paroxetine is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Paroxetine as it may make your symptoms or side-effects worse. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects.
Uses of Paroxetine
Medicinal Benefits
Paroxetine belongs to a group of antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Paroxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder. Paroxetine works by inhibiting serotonin's reuptake by nerves, a mood-enhancing chemical messenger in the brain that communicates between brain cells. This helps increase serotonin concentrations in the nerve synapse, thereby regulating mood and treating depression and anxiety disorders. Paroxetine has fewer unwanted side effects than older antidepressants and helps people recover from depression.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Paroxetine
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Sexual disturbances
Drug Warnings
Do not take Paroxetine if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or have taken them in the last 14 days, or if you are taking antipsychotic medicines such as thioridazine or pimozide. Consult your doctor immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, such as killing or harming yourself. Inform your doctor if you have/had epilepsy, mania, diabetes, low sodium levels in blood, glaucoma, or are undergoing treatment for severe depression called electro-convulsive therapy. Do not take Paroxetine if you are pregnant, as it may cause harm to the foetus. Consult your doctor before taking Paroxetine if you are breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery as Paroxetine may cause dizziness, confusion, sleepiness and blurred vision. Paroxetine is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Paroxetine as it may make your symptoms or side-effects worse.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Paroxetine may interact with blood thinners (warfarin, clopidogrel), anti-psychotics (perphenazine, thioridazine, clozapine. Lithium, risperidone), antidepressants (clomipramine, moclobemide, methylthioninium chloride/methylene blue, nortriptyline, desipramine), NSAID’s (acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, celecoxib, etodolac, diclofenac, meloxicam, tramadol, pethidine), anti-cancer (tamoxifen), anti-migraine (sumatriptan), dietary supplement (tryptophan), opioid analgesics (fentanyl), anti-HIV (ritonavir, fosamprenavir), anti-convulsant (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine), anti-arrhythmic (propafenone, flecainide), anti-hypertensive (metoprolol), anti-TB (rifampicin), antibiotic (linezolid), statin (pravastatin), neuromuscular blocker (mivacurium, suxamethonium), norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (Atomoxetine), herbal supplement used to treat depression (St. John’s wort), and anticholinergic medication (Procyclidine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have glaucoma, diabetes, epilepsy, mania, bleeding problems, hyponatremia (low sodium levels), heart, liver or kidney dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Paroxetine as it may make your symptoms or side-effects worse.
Pregnancy
unsafeParoxetine belongs to pregnancy category D. It is not recommended to take Paroxetine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as Paroxetine might cause foetal harm.
Breast Feeding
cautionParoxetine may pass into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking Paroxetine; your doctor will decide whether Paroxetine can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
unsafeAvoid driving or operating machinery as Paroxetine may cause dizziness, confusion, sleepiness and blurred vision.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeParoxetine is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly as it helps in improving overall health and boosts self-esteem.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
- Include foods rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables and olive oils.
- Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help in the proper maintenance of neurotransmitters.
- Complex carbohydrates help in stimulating serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges and pears.
- Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also helps in relieving stress, improving mood, boosting self-esteem, and providing restful sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Special Advise
- Close monitoring of patients taking Paroxetine for suicidal behaviour is advised. Talk to your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Major depressive disorder: Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is a mental health disorder characterised by a persistent and intense feeling of sadness for an extended duration of time. It mainly impacts mood, behaviour, and other physical functions, such as sleep and appetite. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest, appetite changes, sleep problems, restlessness, lack of energy, feeling worthless or guilty, thoughts of harming oneself, difficulty in concentrating, making decisions, and thinking. The exact cause of depression is unknown. However, factors such as stress, changes in hormone levels, alcohol or drug abuse, abuse during childhood, certain medical conditions and medications might increase the risk of developing depression.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is a mental disorder that is associated with repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and the urge to do things over and again (compulsions). Symptoms include fear of germs or the need to arrange objects in a specific manner.
Panic disorder: It is a type of anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks. In this condition, a person experiences a sudden feeling of fear, when, in reality, there is no danger. Symptoms include fast heartbeat, breathing difficulty, chest or stomach pain, weakness or dizziness, and sweating.
Social anxiety disorder: It is a chronic mental health condition that causes extreme fear, anxiety, embarrassment, and self-consciousness in social gatherings. Symptoms include excessive fear, worry about humiliation or embarrassment, concern about offending someone, and fear about being judged.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): It is a disorder that is characterised by failure to recover after witnessing or experiencing a terrifying event. This condition may last for a few months or years with triggers that could bring back the memories of trauma accompanied by intense physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety or depressed mood, heightened reactivity to a stimulus, and avoidance of situations that can bring back trauma.
Generalised anxiety disorder: It is a mental health disorder characterised by feelings of anxiety, worry or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, in which the feeling of fear may be intense and debilitating. It is the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms of anxiety include rapid breathing, increased heart rate, restlessness, trouble concentrating, and difficulty falling asleep.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: It is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome, which includes physical and behavioural symptoms that usually resolve after the period's onset. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder causes extreme mood shifts that can disrupt work and relationships. Symptoms include irritability, anger, hopelessness, sadness, bloating, and breast tenderness.
FAQs
Paroxetine works by inhibiting serotonin's reuptake by nerves, a mood-enhancing chemical messenger in the brain that communicates between brain cells. This increases serotonin concentrations in the nerve synapse, thereby helping in regulating mood.
Paroxetine is used to treat anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder.
Do not discontinue Paroxetine without consulting your doctor as it could lead to withdrawal effects. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Paroxetine for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Paroxetine; the doctor may reduce the dose gradually.
Paroxetine may cause decreased libido (sex drive), impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal ejaculation and problems with orgasm. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Paroxetine. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
Please consult your doctor before taking Paroxetine if you have glaucoma as Paroxetine might cause increased pressure in the eye.
Consult your doctor before taking Paroxetine if you have diabetes as Paroxetine might fluctuate blood glucose levels. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised if you are taking Paroxetine. Talk to your doctor if your blood sugar levels are unstable.
People taking antidepressants such as Paroxetine are more likely at risk of developing suicidal thoughts. Talk to your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself.
Consult your doctor before taking tamoxifen (used to treat cancer) along with Paroxetine as Paroxetine might make tamoxifen less effective.
Paroxetine may cause unusual bleeding or bruising such as vomiting blood or passing blood in stools. Therefore, talk to your doctor before taking Paroxetine if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking medicines that might increase the risk of bleeding such as blood thinners (warfarin), anti-psychotics (perphenazine or clozapine), tricyclic antidepressants (clomipramine), or NSAID’s (acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, celecoxib, etodolac, diclofenac, meloxicam).
