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Paxil Overview
Who Should Not Take Paxil?
Never take Paxil while taking another drug that treats depression, called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking these two drugs close in time can result in serious (and sometimes fatal) reactions including high body temperature, coma, and seizures (convulsions).
MAOI drugs include Nardil (phenelzine sulfate), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate), Marplan (isocarboxazid), and other brands.
Never take Paxil if you are taking Mellaril (thioridazine), a drug used to treat schizophrenia. Taking Paxil and Mellaril together can cause heartbeat problems.
Paxil Health Risks
Risks of using Paxil include:
- An increased risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions
- Bleeding problems, especially if taken with aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or other drugs that affect bleeding
- Mania (becoming hyperactive, excitable, or elated)
- Seizures (even if Paxil is not taken close in time with a MAOI)
- Increased risks if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Babies born to mothers taking Paxil late in pregnancy have developed problems such as difficulty breathing and feeding
- Sexual problems including impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal ejaculation, difficulty in reaching orgasm, or decreased libido (sexual desire)
Side effects of Paxil use may include:
- Weakness
- Dry Mouth
- Constipation
- Yawning
- Infection
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Tremor
- Nervousness
- Nausea
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Decreased Appetite
- Sleepiness
It is important to tell your healthcare professional about all known medical conditions, especially if you have liver or kidney disease, or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you breast-feed or are planning to breast-feed your baby.
To avoid dangerous interactions with any medicines you might be taking, tell your healthcare professional about all prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements that you take.
Do not stop taking Paxil suddenly. Doing so may result in harmful side effects. Your healthcare professional should slowly decrease your dose as necessary.
If you plan to drink alcohol while taking Paxil, talk to your healthcare professional.
Paxil - Getting Legal Help
While all medications have certain anticipated side effects, a drug manufacturer has a duty to make its products as reasonably safe as possible, and to inform the medical community and the public of known risks associated with its drugs. If a manufacturer fails to do so, it can be held legally responsible if patients are injured as the result of inadequate warnings or the unreasonably dangerous nature of the drug, under a legal theory called "product liability."
If you or a loved one have experienced any dangerous symptoms or unusual medical conditions related to Paxil use, you should first contact your doctor or other healthcare professional. You may also wish to meet with an experienced attorney to discuss your options and to protect your right to a legal remedy for any injuries caused by Paxil use.
- Go here to learn more about an attorney's role in a pharmaceutical liability case.
- To find an experienced attorney, use the "Find a Lawyer" tool on the left side of this page, or click here.
See also:
Most content above from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FAQs
- How does strict liability apply to product liability cases?
- How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
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