- Used to treat major depressive disorder
- Also used in the treatment of panic attacks and OCD
- Used to treat general anxiety as well as social anxiety
- Sometimes used to treat pre-menstrual problems, post traumatic stress and premature ejaculation
- Could be useful in treating hot flashes and gambling addiction
Paxil is the brand name for the generic drug Paroxetine which is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. It is sold as tablets as well as an oral suspension. The tablets are available in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg and 40 mg. The 10 mg and 20 mg tablets are scored. The10 mg tablets are yellow in color, the 20 mg are pink, the 30 mg are blue and the 40 mg are green. The oral suspension comes in an orange flavor and is orange in color with a strength of 10 mg/5mL.
Indications
Paxil is prescribed mainly for depression but it is also prescribed sometimes by doctors for panic disorders, OCD and anxiety. There are some other conditions that it is also prescribed for though not much research has been done in these areas.
Action
Paxil works by bringing back the balance to the serotonin content in the brain. It is when this goes haywire that people feel low and depressed and experience mood swings. It belongs to a class of drugs called SSRIs which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. What this drug does is to prevent the reuptake of the serotonin and this gives it a chance to activate the cells on the next nerve as it is supposed to.
Side Effects
There are some side effects that affect some of the patients who are recommended this treatment. These side effects could range from very mild to very serious. Some of them are a rash or hives, swelling of the face and throat, insomnia, feeling very irritable or agitated, being too aggressive, being subject to mood swings or feeling anxious. There could also be fever, bruising easily, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea, lack of co-ordination and sweating, dry mouth and decreased sexual urges. There could be more serious ones too like suicidal tendencies, manic moods, muscles getting stiff, irregular heartbeats, dizziness or seizures.
Caution
The doctor under whose care you are under must be told about the complete medical history, including any genetic dispositions, any ailment that you are suffering from, what medication, vitamins and supplements you are taking and if you have a history of drug or alcoholic abuse. He must also be informed about any allergies that you might be suffering from and any serious condition that you might have like cardiac complications, diabetes, blood pressure problems, seizures or epileptic fits.
Contraindications
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should ideally avoid this medication in case it harms the baby. It could cause lung complications in the fetus. This drug should not be prescribed for those who are under 18. People who have a heart problem or are prone to seizures should also exercise caution before taking this drug.