Get Informed: Paxil
Active Ingredient(s)
Paroxetine
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder. It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin, an important chemical in the brain.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-14 3:34 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-13 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Paxil
- Paxil CR
- Paroxetine
- Pexeva
- Seroxat
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- D
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 29 Dec 1992
- Est US Patients*
- 3,546,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Paxil or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Paxil
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Paxil during the past year.
Paxil Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Paxil interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Paxil used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 23,500 patients that use Paxil (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | 68% | 
|
| Depression | 68% | 
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 7% | 
|
| Migraine/Headache | 4% |
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 2% |
|
| Other | 6% |
|
How well does Paxil work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 23,500 users taking Paxil (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 91%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Paxil outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Paxil.
Common Side Effects of Paxil
iGuard regularly polls our more than 23,500 users taking Paxil (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
41% of patients experience side-effects on Paxil
13% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Paxil
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
Fatigue
-
Drowsiness
-
Loss of Libido
-
Dryness
-
Insomnia
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Dizziness
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Bloating/Gas, Constipation, Diarrhea, Erectile Problems, Hair Loss, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Hot Flashes, Increased Appetite, Mood/Behavior Changes, Restlessness, Suicidal Thoughts, Sweating, Vivid Dreams, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Paxil (Paroxetine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been taking paxil cr, 12.5 dose for about 9 months. I really don't notice any side effects at all. Sometimes if I take it late at night, I will have trouble sleeping. I started taking it because I have PVC's or heart skips. They caused me to have a lot of anxiety worrying about them. The paxil has really been helpful for these. I don't even realize I have them as much as I did before. It takes the edge off. I seemed to be really hungry all the time at first, but now I've gotten better. I did put on 6 pounds, and haven't gained any weight in 12 years. I was eating a lot more though. I'm sure it was me and not the paxil. I have been very satisfied overall.
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-25 20:51:51
Question/Comment:
Is there any evidence that Paxil can lower testosterone levels? I recently decreased my dosage from 50 mg/day to 25 mg/day and while many negative side effects have eased up (apathy, lack of energy), I have also noticed more negative effects of high testosterone (weight gain, vivid dreams, hair thinning, hirsutism) similar to the effects of going off Spironolactone (an androgen blocker, after all). Does anyone have any suggestions of ways to ease these symptoms of elevated testosterone? I am currently taking 100 mg/day of Spiro and I may increase to 200 mg/day, but I am concerned that it may actually be contributing to my hair loss. I have considered trying 37.5 mg/day of Paxil, but the side effects of 50 mg/day seemed to outweigh the benefits, so it is a difficult decision to make.
Also, I was reading on here that one woman experienced lower leg pain after starting Paxil; I have experienced the same thing for quite some time now and I had never attributed it to the Paxil, but now I suspect the Paxil may be/have been a contributing factor. It seems that it started not long after increasing my Paxil to 50 mg/day and has subsided some upon lowering my dose to 25 mg/day. I have thought about trying other antidepressants but I really don't like the idea of experimenting with drugs that may have bad side effects and/or be less effective.
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-09 14:44:06
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There really is no evidence that Paxil can affect testosterone levels. There are no reports of spironolactone contributing to hair loss, but it can cause hirsutism. The pain caused by Paxil is usually a numbness or tingling, so if that is what the pain in your legs feels like, it could be the Paxil. The hair loss and the increase in testosterone levels could be from something entirely different than medication side effects. You need to make an appointment with your physician to discuss your symptoms and concerns.
Posted: 2010-02-14 11:05:23
Question/Comment:
I have been unable to loose weight. Is this a side effect of paroxitine?
Posted: 2010-01-29 20:02:52
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Paroxetine causes weight gain in 15% of iGuard patients. Because it is prone to causing weight gain, weight loss may become more difficult while taking paroxetine. Careful control of your calorie intake and regular exercise as approved by your physician may help stop any weight gain. Talk to your physician about your concerns regarding your weight. Another medication in this class may be less likely to interfere with your attempts at weight loss.
Posted: 2010-02-03 19:54:26
Question/Comment:
I have been on paroxetine for about two weeks having switched from Lexapro because it was cost prohibitive. I have been having extreme lower leg pains ever since. The pain seems to be muscular. When I asked my doctor about it, he just hemmed and hawed and blew me off. I would like to know if anyone else has had these problems. The severity is decreasing slightly now, so I am continuing, hoping that it will totally pass, any thoughts??? Thank you, Mrs Anderson 51 yr old
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-26 19:38:35
Answer/Reply:
My first thought was that you could be adjusting to the new medication. i.e. withdrawing from the Lexapro while beginning the paroxetine. it can take awhile. more than 2 weeks is not uncommon. also, i wouldn't put up with that behavior from my health care provider. i'd say, consider changing doctors. find one that respects your questions and concerns. unfortunately, exactly how these meds work, is still somewhat of a mystery. so the doctor might just be embarrassed at his lack of knowledge and afraid to admit that he "doesn't know."
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-28 19:16:55
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Paroxetine has been reported to cause muscle pain in 2 to 4 % of patients. This is a side effect of the medication. Side effects tend to decrease as you continue taking the medication. Paroxetine can take up to 6 weeks for you to feel the positive effects, and at the same time it can take up to 6 weeks for the side effects to decrease as well.
Posted: 2010-01-31 15:28:46
Question/Comment:
I have been on and off paroxatine (generic) for the past six years, and have been off of it for about a year and a half. I had a severe panic attack last week, and have had mild-severe anxiety issues since. Went to so my doctor and he put me on pexeva...I took a 20 mg dose before bed last night, went to bed about 4 hours after taking it and woke up 2 hours later having a anxiety attack, this is normal in some case's correct??
26 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-26 17:50:09
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Pexeva contains paroxetine, the same ingredient as Paxil. However, the paroxetine in Pexeva is in a different chemical salt structure and is not exactly identical to Paxil. It takes some time for the drug levels to build up in your system. Pexeva takes at least a week to notice some effects, sometimes up to six weeks. The first effects people feel are usually side effects of the medication. As the body becomes accustomed to the medication, the side effects go away and the positive effects of the medication take hold. Talk to your doctor about prescribing a medication used for anxiety in the meantime, such as Ativan or Valium. These medications have an immediate effect and work well being taken on a short-term, as needed basis.
Posted: 2010-01-31 15:02:34
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
196
Patient Comments about
Paxil