Paroxetine brand name, is marketed under the name of Paxil. It is a prescription medication in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) used to treat anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. The drug works by modulating the level of serotonin hormone in circulation, thereby alleviating symptoms caused by low serotonin levels.
In this article, let’s learn more about treating anxiety with Paxil, its dosages for this condition, how long it takes to notice the effect, and other factors.
Uses
Doctors prescribe Paxil for treating several psychiatric disorders, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
These conditions usually result from an imbalance of the natural substance known as serotonin in the brain. Taking this medication restores the balance in serotonin levels, leading to improved mood, appetite, interest in daily activities, and sleep.
For subjects diagnosed with OCD, Paroxetine reduces the constant urge to perform particular tasks repeatedly. For example, individuals suffering from the obsessive-compulsive disorder may have increased tendencies such as handwashing, house cleaning, or repeated checking. As a result, this condition often interferes with normal day to day functioning. Generally, high doses of 
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Paroxetine for Anxiety
When your doctor prescribes Paroxetine for anxiety, it reduces the feelings of fear, or impending doom, unwanted thoughts, and physical symptoms like trembling. The medication treats various anxiety disorders, including Trusted SourcePubMedA free resource of the National Institute of Health containing over 35M biomedical literature citations, life science journals, & online books.Go to source
Paroxetine Dosage for Anxiety
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The Paroxetine dosage for anxiety varies depending on the type of disease, comorbidities, patient age, and the medication formulation prescribed. When treating social anxiety disorder (social phobia), your doctor will usually prescribe Paroxetine 20 mg, which you take once daily as the initial dose. After that, the dose is adjusted according to the treatment response. The customary maintenance dose is 20-60 mg daily. The dosing for panic disorder is usually lower, with Paroxetine 10 mg as the start dose.
How Long Does Paroxetine Take to Work for Anxiety?
Unlike other medications that might offer immediate relief, Paroxetine and other SSRIs do not work immediately for anxiety. On average it takes from 1-2 weeks after treatment initiation for the desired effects of Paroxetine to start occurring.
On average, the full effects of Paroxetine for anxiety occur in the Trusted SourceNCBIThe National Center for Biotechnology is a hub for biomedical literature, genomic data, and other related resources.Go to source
How to Use Oral Paroxetine for Anxiety
For optimum results, take Paroxetine at the same time each day. You can take Paroxetine tablets by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. Taking the medication with food counteracts one of the main side effects, nausea.
Paroxetine is a convenient medication as it is a once-daily dosed medication. If you feel drowsy or sleepy during the day while on Paxil, talk to your doctor about taking it at night.
Your doctor will start you at a lower dose to reduce the incidence of side effects and then raise the dose gradually. Do not take a higher dose than prescribed, even if you feel your condition is not improving fast enough.
Paroxetine Side Effects
The side effects of Paroxetine will vary from one person to another. The more common side effects are nausea, appetite changes, weakness, dry mouth, drowsiness, and trouble sleeping. The side effects are usually mild and short-lasting, but you should notify your doctor promptly when they worsen or persist. Other Paroxetine side effects include blurring vision, increased sweating, and yawning.
As standard practice, your doctor prescribes this medicine, having evaluated that the benefits would be greater than the possible adverse effects; therefore, you should not shy from taking the drug. Rarely do people using Paroxetine develop serious side effects warranting discontinuation of use.
However, if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms when taking Paroxetine, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Serious Paroxetine Side Effects
- Tremors or shaking
- Decreased libido
- Sensory abnormalities; tingling sensations or numbness
- Muscle weakness and spasms
- Fast heartbeat
- Restlessness
- Seizures
Coffee-ground vomitus with black stools, halos around light bulbs, pupil widening, and eye pain represent severe side effects requiring immediate medical intervention.
Precautions
If you are allergic to Paroxetine or have other allergies, you should inform your doctor before taking the medication. The medicine might also react with other medications, so remember to talk to your pharmacist for clarification.
You should share with your doctor your complete medical history, including personal or family history of mood disorders, suicidal ideations, and peptic ulcer disease. Be sure to talk about kidney or liver problems, as they are likely to affect how your body clears the medication and its metabolites.
You should not take alcohol or cannabis when using Paroxetine as they can bring about some side effects like dizziness and drowsiness. If you are using cannabis products already, you should let your doctor know before starting to take Paroxetine for anxiety.
Moreover, avoid working with heavy machinery that requires high-level concentration if you experience dizziness when taking this medicine.
Lastly, the elderly are more prone to experience Paroxetine side effects like bleeding tendencies, salt imbalance, and loss of coordination more so than the general population.
In Conclusion
Paroxetine is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of anxiety. The dosage and dosing schedule are adjusted on an individual basis. Contact a prescriber at MEDvidi today if you have the symptoms of an anxiety disorder and receive a personalized treatment plan. Learn about the features and possible side effects of the medication you are prescribed and have your symptoms and progress monitored by a professional.
