Paxil

Paxil Prescription:
Paxil is available only with doctor’s prescription; the doses of Paxil will vary considering the medical condition of the patient. The patient should follow doctor’s advice or the direction on the label. Paxil comes as a tablet, a suspension (liquid), and a controlled-release (long-acting) tablet for oral administration. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance. The following information includes the average doses of Paxil;

Depressive illness patients should take:
Initially, in the morning, a 25 mg single daily dose. Patients unresponsive to a 25 mg dose of Paxil may benefit from dose increases, in 12.5 mg a day increments, at intervals of at least 1 week, to a maximum of 62.5 mg a day. The doctor should decide the exact dose for the patient.

Panic disorder patients should take:
Usually in the morning, a 12.5 mg single daily dose. Dose changes at intervals of at least one week should occur in 12.5 mg a day increments. Maximum dosage: 75 mg a day. The doctor should decide the exact dose for the patient.

Social anxiety disorder patients should take:
Usually in the morning, a 12.5 mg single daily dose. Patients unresponsive to a 12.5 mg dose may benefit from dose increases, in 12.5 mg a day increments, at intervals of at least one week, to a maximum of 37.5 mg/day. The doctor should decide the exact dose for the patient.

Paxil Missed Dose:
If you have missed a dose of Paxil, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Please do not double your doses in any situation.

Paxil Overdose:
The symptoms of an Paxil overdose include sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, tremor, rapid or weak heartbeat, agitation, sweating, decreased urination, drowsiness, hyperactivity, muscle stiffness or weakness, enlarged pupils, confusion, hallucinations, lightheadedness, fainting, seizures, and coma. If you have taken an overdose of this medicine, seek immediate medical attention.

Paxil Side Effects:
Stop taking Paxil and seek emergency medical treatment if you have any of the following serious side effects;

• An allergic reaction like difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, face; itching;
• An irregular heartbeat or pulse;
• Low blood pressure
• High blood pressure symptoms like severe headache, blurred vision;
• Unusual bleeding or bruising; or
• Fever or chills.

Continue to take Paxil after consulting your doctor if you experience the following less serious side effects

• headache;
• Sleepiness or insomnia;
• Weakness;
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
• Decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
• Dry mouth;
• Tremor, nervousness, anxiety trouble concentrating; or
• Changes in appetite or weight.

* Talk to your doctor about any side effect other than the following that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Paxil Precaution:
It is very important that your health care professional knows all the medications you are taking, specially the following pimozide, thioridazine, or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid , phenelzine , selegeline, or tranylcypromine . You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take Paxil. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Paxil before you can take thioridazine. And let your doctor know if you are taking tryptophan; warfarin; digoxin; orlithium; theophylline; other SSRIs; a tricyclic antidepressant; aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; a phenothiazine; almotriptan, frovatriptan, sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan; heart rhythm medications. At the same time, the doctor must know about your health problems, specially anyone in your family has or has ever had depression, bipolar disorder, or mania, or if you or in your family has history of suicide or attempted suicide; seizures; bleeding from your stomach or esphagus or liver, kidney, or heart disease. And do not forget to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Paxil, call your doctor and let him know.