Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death , seizure.
Discontinuation syndrome abrupt discontinuation may include nausea, sweating, dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances as electric shock sensations, tremor, anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, ringing in the ears, and seizures. SSRI antidepressants including paroxetine may increase the risk of bleeding events.
Combined use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e. This may include gums that bleed more easily, nosebleed, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Some cases have been life threatening. Hypersensitivity to paroxetine. Call your health care provider if you get rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Avoid with known hypersensitivity to paroxetine or any ingredients mixed with it. To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of paroxetine.
It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Paroxetine should not be taken with or within two weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Paroxetine may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding e. Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working.
Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to weeks to fully improve. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality.
Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.
Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer. This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Support Center Support Center. External link. Please review our privacy policy. I feel miserable both mentally and physically. I was forced to go cold turkey due to moving, and my refill being mailed to the old address. I also feel crazier than I did before I went on the drug.
My emotions are all over the place and I go from happy to nearly suicidal or anxious in minutes. I know this is all withdrawal effects which, believe it or not gives me a bit of comfort. This is really a great article on how to taper Paroxetine.
I am on the same drug, some bad luck was there with me. I went to a neuro for a small neck pain and he started giving me this and then on suggestion of our family Dr. Then went to the same neuro and now since 1. On my several requests he reduced my medicine by 10 mg and after few month I again got the same withdrawal symptoms and he again increased This has happened with me 3 times in 1.
Every time he reduces the medicine for at least 10 mg and then increases it by at least I am not sure, why he is playing with me. One more reason of not trusting my Dr. You can get it from his chemist shop only. If I will go for a change of doctor Neuro or Psych — he will say me that he can treat me and will start the treatment. The problem I am facing in changing the Dr. But I think there is no other way left I have to push myself to go to a different Dr. Suggestions from you on my situation would be great [email protected].
You will get least bad effects I believe so. Then stabilize your body there for about months at least. And then repeat the process. This will take years to leave but one day you would be able to. This is what I can say about this drug from my personal understanding and experience.
Was never told how dangerous this could be!!! This site has been extremely helpful, but I feel scared and anxious about trying to wean off. My doctor put me on 40 mg of Paxil. I went through a rough patch, and about 6 months ago, he increased my dosage to 60 mg. I am on a very high dose!! It looks like I have a long road ahead which may effect my relationships with my family. In this day and age, is it too much to ask for something that will help my anxiety, without giving up a sex life.
Hi Laura, I have been on various dosages of Paxil for 17 years after a traumatic life event. The last 9 years had been a 40 mg dose. I am diabetic and have a thyroid disease Graves and also take additional meds. Over the years I have gained weight 35 lbs. After seeing many different specialty doctors and ruling out certain medical conditions… I still continue to be overweight and have Chronic Fatigue. I went to my primary doctor and told her I wanted to get off the Paxil.
So far, so good! I, like so many others, want my life back! I hope this has helped even a little. I thank you very dearly for the information that I found in your column. There were many things that I was unaware of about that medication and again I thank you for your information and knowledge.
I started 16 years ago and 2 years in, I weaned off of it. I took my time about 8 months. Felt okay until about 6 months later. I was driving and had to pull of the road to collect myself. Desperate to feel better, I went back on it and have been taking it ever since. Then down to 10mg for the last year and a half. Even my physician said that there is no great way to wean off this drug. Makes me very mad. I keep a bottle of them, along with Gravol non-drowsy ginger pills, in my purse and use frequently throughout the day.
I feel like garbage and got sent home from work today for apparently looking it, but am functional and holding it together. Bodes mentioning that I am doing this in conjunction with coming off Wellbutrin preparing for pregnancy so went whole hog and have been on Paxil for fifteen years 40 mg highest dose. Horrible attempts at withdrawing in the past; this is definitely the way I would suggest attacking it.
There is a light, guys…. Hi there — is there anything you could tell us regarding nutritional supplements one could take when starting to get off Paxil? Would be interesting to see if anyone has any experience with this sort of thing. I myself went onto 20 mg of Paxil after a terrible post-birth psychosis twice! Now I wonder whether it has to do specifically with estrogen during the hormonal upheaval a woman goes through every month.
So much to think about and research! Any info much appreciated. I have found B vitamins and omega 3s have helped… some. The brain zaps have seemed to stop once I started the fish oil. Now trying to figure out what to do for the crazy restless legs that hurt so badly at night.
Today I am on day 6 of withdrawal. I just hope and pray I will wake up and not feel dizzy and sick. GREAT article! It also shocks me to know that this could go on for months! I want to know one thing!!
I took Paxil for about 2 years. I stopped in May Since 5. Brain zaps have gone though. Please help me. Is is all ever going to end? I fought it for years but decided to give in and go on antidepressants. I tried about 5 antidepressants and a psychiatrist, but found this the only tablet that works and sent me back to what seemed like a normal person to my family.
They could cope with me again! But inside I was weirdly numb, loss all sex drive, never got excited and lost interest in a lot! So I decide to try and come off Paxil, twice I failed and found my depression was so much worse almost Instantly. So I decided to research, everything that you and me and everyone out there says the same thing about the effects of coming off the tablets.
I stopped taking them on Mondays for a few months but took them every other day. Then I added in Tuesday while taking it every ither day. Even GSK have admired that their drug has such profound side effects from withdrawal to keep getting money and prescriptions. I am an ex medical rep so this makes sense and it annoys the hell out of me. Eating a healthy diet is helping and I can feel what my body needs and try to stay calm when I want to snap.
For being merely married this is not ideal and I feel for us all! I have been on 40mg of Paxil for 13 years and have made a handful of attempts over that time to get off the drug.
Each time was on the advice of a physician and their method and each time was a disaster. Over the years I have searched the internet for anyone who had a similar story as mine and that had successfully beaten the trap of this drug. Near the end of last year I was introduced to doterra essential oils and I am convinced this is the answer to not only getting off Paxil but for building a stronger healthier lifestyle all together.
I started in February on my journey. The warnings to go slowly and listen to your body are excellent advice! I took 40mg four days a week and 20mg for three days, I did this for 5 weeks I took 20mg four days and 40mg three days for 4 weeks I took 20mg all week for 2 months.
I credit the addition of the essential oils for this. I did notice I would tear up on occasion and I had to really be cautious about using a sharp tongue as I could have a few tense moments of impatience.
I felt ready to step down again at this point. Part of my problem may have been I was still trying to cut a 40mg into four pieces and you never can really tell what dosage you are getting. So I called my doc and requested 10mg tablets. I think this will make for a much smoother transition to 10mg and it can be cut in two for the next step. I did not know about the liquid option as I near the end of this journey but I am glad there is something available to make that last step smoother.
I will admit the closer I get to the end I wonder if it can be done without those dreaded brain zaps? The oils I have been using are doterra Elevation and Citrus Bliss blends. They help calm anxiety and nausea and are pure therapeutic natural oil that works with my body not against it like this synthetic nightmare called Paxil. Again, I am so thankful to have found your information and that it was my confirmation that this really can be done!
My goal is to enter Paxil free! Am currently experimenting with St. Feeling very depressed at times though still and wake up almost every morning with a churning stomach due to anxiety. But as far as brain zaps and dizziness go, the passionflower has been amazing! I am weaning myself off of 30 mg of Paxil after being on it for 17 years. I have tried to get off of it before, and it has always been terrible, but I want to have a family eventually so I am really trying to stick it out this time.
I have found that taking 5-htp and Sam-e have been helping some. I have been down to 10 mg for a couple of days and it is getting worse, especially the dizziness, but the Sam-e and 5-htp have helped with the anxiety, anger, depression, etc.
Make sure you are careful with 5-HTP, though. Taking it while still on Paxil can cause serotonin syndrome, which can be dangerous. Do research and talk to your doctor. This is a grate article, you describe what people can not put in words. Is there anything I can take to ease the headaches? I went from 40mg a day to 20mg a couple of weeks ago and I have had all the withdrawal symptoms. The worst is the nausea and dizziness. Typically, when a patient is getting off of a medication, they're tapered off of the medication in a very calculated and measured way over time.
You should absolutely talk to your doctor or psychiatrist before make any changes. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Try to have a healthy lifestyle while you're tapering off Paxil. Getting plenty of sleep and eating nutritious foods can help you manage side effects of getting off of the medication. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0.
Avoid abruptly stopping Paxil, if at all possible since this often leads to withdrawal side effects. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0. Paxil increases the risk of birth defects, so you should discontinue taking it as soon as you become pregnant or if you're trying to get pregnant.
The FDA has issued a black box warning for Paxil. This is a severe warning that taking Paxil, especially if you're managing a major depressive disorder, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.
If you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to a professional hotline like If you're in a crisis, you can also text for help. Related wikiHows How to. How to. Board Certified Psychiatrist.
Expert Interview. More References About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: October 24, Categories: Sedatives Antidepressants. Medical Disclaimer The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Article Summary X Before you get off Paxil, it's important that you talk to your doctor so they can set a plan for you to slowly wean off the medication. Italiano: Smettere di Prendere la Paroxetina.
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. I just needed to know a safe way to start cutting back and this article helped. Thank you. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.
Chad O'Connor Feb 18, Joseph Labate Feb 24, Amy Hamilton Feb 9, Veronica Amanda Feb 7, Donyell Demery Aug 10, I have a sister that wants to wean off Paxil.
0コメント