What You Need To Know About Paxil

 

Paxil is an antidipressant and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Paxil is effective for treating depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Paxil comes as a tablet, and it does not have to be taken with food. If you are thinking about taking Paxil, there are some things you should know.

Warnings

 

Senior citizens should take the lowest effective dose. If you are concerned about the dose that was prescribed to you, talk to your doctor.

If you have liver problems, you should use caution when taking this drug because the liver is used to metabolize the drug.

In addition, if you have kidney problems you should use caution as well.

If you have a history of seizures, you should tell your doctor before you take this medication. You should use caution if you are taking oral anticoagulants, and there may be an interaction between Paxil and warfarin (Coumadin).

Also, Paxil should not be taken with  MAOI inhibitors, including Parnate, Nardil and others. If you take MAOI medication, you should wait two weeks before you start taking Paxil. When two weeks have passed, you should take a low dose of Paxil and increase slowly. Likewise, if you take Paxil, you should stop two weeks in advance if you need to start taking MAOI medications.

If you have a history of mania, you should inform your doctor before taking Paxil. According to clinical trials, about 1 percent of patients experienced mania when taking Paxil. For people with bipolar disorder, mania was present for 2 percent. If you have a history of mania, you should use caution with any antidepressant medication.

Keep in mind that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal actions and thoughts in some young adults, teenagers and children in the beginning. The risk is higher for people that have bipolar disorder or a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Monitor The Effects

 

Further, when you take Paxil or any medication, you should monitor how you feel, your thoughts, behaviors and feelings. It is imperative that you monitor any changes, especially if your dose is increased or decreased, or if you are just starting to take the medication. Call your doctor to report sudden changes in your mood, feelings, behavior

 

or thoughts. You should watch the effects closely to make sure the medication is not making you depressed, anxious or irritable. Other signs to be aware of include insomnia, panic attacks, hostilty, restlessness, hyperactivity and suicidal thoughts and actions.