Paxil Overview
What is Paxil?
Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is in a class of medicines called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil is made by GlaxoSmithKline and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992.
Paxil tablets and oral suspension are used to treat:
- Depression
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Paxil CR, a different formulation of Paxil, is used to treat:
- Depression
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Paxil FDA Alert - Serotonin Syndrome
In July 2006, the FDA issued an alert stating that a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can occur when medicines called Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs, such as Paxil) and medicines used to treat migraine headaches known as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists (triptans), are taken together. Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
- restlessness
- hallucinations
- loss of coordination
- fast heartbeat
- increased body temperature
- fast changes in blood pressure
- overactive reflexes
- diarrhea
- coma
- nausea
- vomiting
Serotonin syndrome may be more likely to occur when starting or increasing the dose of an SNRI or a triptan. If you take migraine headache medicines, ask your healthcare professional if your medicine is a triptan.
Paxil FDA Alert - Antidepressants and Pregnant Women
In July 2006, the FDA issued an alert announcing the results of a study looking at the use of antidepressant medicines during pregnancy in mothers of babies born with a serious condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
Babies born with PPHN have abnormal blood flow through the heart and lungs and do not get enough oxygen to their bodies. Babies with PPHN can be very sick and may die. Results from the study also showed that babies born to mothers who took SSRIs 20 weeks or later into their pregnancies had a higher chance (were 6 times as likely) to have PPHN, when compared to babies born to mothers who did not take antidepressants during pregnancy.
The FDA has announced that it plans to further examine the role of SSRIs in babies with PPHN.
Talk to your doctor if you are taking Paxil and are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. You and your healthcare professional can decide the best way to treat your depression during pregnancy.
More information on antidepressants is available from the FDA here.
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Most content above from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
