Paxil

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder

heart disease

kidney or liver disease

receiving electroconvulsive therapy

seizures (convulsions)

suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt

an unusual or allergic reaction to paroxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. You can take it with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than four hours to your next dose, take only that dose and skip the missed dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine

MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

medicines similar to paroxetine like fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram

phenothiazines like thioridazine

pimozide

procarbazine

St. John's wort

tryptophan

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

aspirin and aspirin-like drugs

cimetidine

digoxin

fosamprenavir

linezolid

medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan

medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin

NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

phenobarbital

phenytoin

procyclidine

ritonavir

theophylline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Continue to take your medicine even if you do not immediately feel better. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect of this medicine.
Patients and their families should watch out for depression or thoughts of suicide that get worse. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.
If you have been taking this medicine regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or your symptoms may get worse. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase or decrease the effects of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

black or bloody stools, blood in the urine or vomit

fast, irregular heartbeat

hallucination, loss of contact with reality

painful or prolonged erection (men)

seizures

suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusually weak or tired

vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

change in appetite, weight

change in sex drive or performance

constipation or diarrhea

difficulty sleeping

drowsy

headache

ncreased sweating

muscle pain or weakness

tremors

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at at or below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.