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What Is Paxil? Know About Its Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More

How Paxil Works:

Paxil’s active pharmacological ingredient is paroxetine, an SSRI. The term SSRI refers to a class of antidepressant drugs. Paroxetine works by elevating serotonin levels in the brain, which helps to mitigate depression. A change in serotonin levels in the brain causes a variety of symptoms, including:

  • The depressed state of mind
  • Disturbed sleeping patterns
  • Inability to pay attention and keep focused on daily activities because of a lack of enthusiasm and enjoyment
  • Lost the urge to eat and body weight variations
  • The emergence of stress and anxiety

What Is Paxil Used For:

Specialists recommend Paxil to treat different psychological conditions, including:

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Panic Disorder, Social Phobias
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. 

Off-Label Uses of Paxil:

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration)) has issued a black box warning for Paxil. This black box warning notifies practitioners that administering this prescription to adolescents, young adults, or teenagers (under the age of 18) can cause serious consequences. Doctors, however, continue to use it as an off-label medicine.

  • Children and Adolescents oriented Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Children and Adolescents oriented Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
  • Anxiety caused by separation
  • Persistent depressive disorder/ Dysthymia
  • Body dysmorphic disorder/ body dysmorphia
  • Sexual dysfunction, especially premature ejaculation issues
  • Pruritus caused by cancer that does not respond to usual treatment
  • Postpartum depression/Depression after childbirth

Paxil Dosage:

Paxil is accessible in three particular oral dosing formulations: 

  • A quick delivery tablet/ Immediate-release tablet comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg and 40 mg
  • An oral suspension comes in 10 mg per 5 ml
  • A controlled delivery tablet/ Controlled release tablet (Paxil CR) comes in 12.5 mg, 25 mg and 37.5 mg

Paxil oral tablet is available in both immediate and extended-release formulations. It is also accessible as a capsule or as a suspension.

The dosage of Paxil that a specialist will recommend relies upon its proposed use. Specialists will suggest an initial dose and may adjust the dosage as per the patient’s indications. Patients can take Paxil with or without food. 

To treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):

Immediate-release Formulation of Paxil:

In adults, the clinician will begin with a daily dose of 20 mg and gradually raise it by 10 mg week by week, up to a maximum of 50 mg each day. 

In Geriatric patients, the clinician will begin with a daily dose of 10 mg and gradually raise it by 10 mg week by week, up to a maximum of 40 mg each day. 

Controlled-release Formulation of Paxil:

In adults, the clinician will begin with a daily dose of 25 mg and gradually raise it by 12.5 mg week by week, up to a maximum of 62.5 mg each day.

In Geriatric patients, begin with 12.5 mg once every day, then gradually raise to 12.5 mg if necessary week after week. 

To Treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

Immediate-release Formulation of Paxil:

In grown-ups, start with 20 mg once consistently. Increase the dose by 10 mg each day at week by week spans whenever needed, with a maximum quantity to 60 mg each day. 

In Geriatric patients, start with 10 mg once consistently. Increase the dose by 10 mg each day at week-based interims. It is typically efficient at  20 mg per day yet can extend up to 40 mg each day.

To Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

Immediate-release Formulation of Paxil:

In grown-ups, the clinician will start with 20 mg once every day and extend by 10 mg each day at week-based interims whenever endured. Extend the quantity up to 40 mg once every day, with a maximum of 60 mg each day. 

In Geriatric patients, the clinician will start with 10 mg once every day. Extend to 10 mg each day at week-based interims, with a maximum quantity of 40 mg each day 

In kids and teenagers, seven years and maturer, the clinician will start with 10 to 50 mg per oral. 10 mg each day at week-based interims, with a maximum of 50 mg each day.

To Treat Panic Disorder:

Grown-ups suffering from panic attacks might take both immediate and controlled-release Paxil pills.

Immediate-release Formulation of Paxil:

In panic disorder, grown-ups typically take 40 mg per day. People usually begin with 10 mg per day and gradually extend up to 10 mg each day at least once a week. The daily dose should not exceed up to 60 mg.

Controlled-release Formulation of Paxil:

When picking Paxil-controlled delivery tablets, individuals can begin with 12.5 mg each day. And gradually increase to attain a therapeutic dose within 12.5 mg and 75 mg.

To Treat Social Anxiety Disorder:

Immediate-release Formulation of Paxil:

In grown-ups, the clinician will start with 20 mg each day per oral. The recommended dose ranges from 20 to 60 mg each day. Extend the quantity up to 10 mg each day every week, up to a maximum of 60 mg each day. 

Begin with 10 mg per oral dose in geriatric individuals and gradually increase to 10 mg each day. Aim for a daily intake of 20 mg, with a maximum dosage of 40 mg.

Start with 10 mg per day in children and adolescents aged eight years and up, extend the dose to 10 mg per day for a week-based interim. The maximum everyday oral dosage is 50 mg.

Controlled-release Formulation of Paxil:

In grown-ups, the clinician will start with 12.5 mg each day through the mouth and extend the dose up to 12.5 mg at one week-based interim. Paxil controlled-release pills have a maximum daily dose of 37.5 mg.

To Treat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Immediate-release Formulation of Paxil:

Adults will ordinarily begin with a dose of 20 mg each day, with a peak dose of 60 mg. Elders may start with 10 mg each day, up to a peak dose of 40 mg.

Paxil Side Effects:

The following are the most prevalent Paxil adverse effects:

  • Changes in vision
  • Sleep deprivation/ insomnia
  • Weakness/ Tiredness
  • Dizziness and headaches
  • Constipation, Diarrhea
  • Decrease Sex drive/ Impotency 

Paxil has the following rare but dangerous:

  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Hypersensitivity/ Severe Allergic Reactions
  • Seizures/ convulsions
  • Easy bruising/ coughing up blood
  • Low Sodium levels
  • Extreme episodes of mania 

Paxil Drug Interactions:

Using Paxil has certain drug-drug interaction concerns. The medications listed below are contraindicated for use in conjunction with Paxil.

  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MOI’s)
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
  • Tamoxifen
  • Phenytoin

Paxil may not be useful for everybody, so talk with a specialist before taking this medicine. Consult with your psychiatrist if you encounter any significant side effects while taking Paxil.

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