Wednesday, November 7, 2007

What is the most important information I should know about Paxil?

You may have an increased risk of behavior or suicidal thoughts at the start of treatment with antidepressant medication, especially if you are a child or a young adult. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking Paxil, you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and / or suicidal thoughts during the first few weeks of treatment or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to watching for changes in your symptoms, your family and other caregivers should be aware of changes in mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check during regular visits at least for the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Contact your doctor if you have any following side effects, especially if new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, irritability, restlessness, 'aggressiveness, severe agitation, mania (mental and / or physical hyperactivity), suicidal thoughts or injure yourself. Paxil can cause heart defects serious or fatal lung problems in newborns whose mothers take the drugs during pregnancy. However, you can have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning to become pregnant, or if you are pregnant while taking Paxil, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. Do not take Paxil in conjunction with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl , Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). What is Paxil? Paxil is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective reuptake inhibitor of serotonin (SSRIs). Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.
Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Paxil can also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Paxil? You may have an increased risk of behavior or suicidal thoughts at the start of treatment with antidepressant medication, especially if you are a child or a young adult. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking Paxil, you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and / or suicidal thoughts during the first few weeks of treatment or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to watching for changes in your symptoms, your family and other caregivers should be aware of changes in mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check during regular visits at least for the first 12 weeks.
Do not use if you are using Paxil pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or an inhibitor of MAO such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam). Graves and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these drugs are taken with Paxil. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before taking Paxil. After you stop taking Paxil, you must wait at least 14 days before starting to take an MAOI. Before taking Paxil, talk to your doctor if you are allergic to any medications, or if you have:
The liver or kidney disease;
Convulsions or epilepsy;
Bipolar disorder (manic depression), or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Paxil, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests.
FDA category D. Paxil pregnancy can cause heart defects serious or fatal lung problems in newborns whose mothers take the drugs during pregnancy. However, you can have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning to become pregnant, or if you are pregnant while taking Paxil, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. Paxil can pass into breast milk and can affect a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How do I take Paxil? Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the drug in large quantities, or to take longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time to ensure you get the best results from the medication.
Try to take medicines at the same time every day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.
Do not crush, chew, or break a controlled release tablet. Swallow the pill. It is specially designed to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too many drugs to be issued at the same time. Shake the liquid Paxil well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the dose, measure the liquid with a measuring spoon or cup medicine, and not with a spoon table. If you do not have a device to measure the dose, ask your pharmacist for one. It may take 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better. Do not discontinue use of Paxil without first talking to your doctor. Paxil Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose of Paxil? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regular dose, the dose missing and take the following as listed. Do not take additional medicines to compensate for the missed doses.
What happens if I overdose with Paxil? Search for emergency medical care if you think you have taken too much of this medicine. Paxil symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, tremors, sweating, decreased urination, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, confusion, aggression, convulsions and coma . What should I avoid while taking Paxil? Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some side effects of Paxil. Avoid using other drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, other medications for depression or anxiety). They can add to the drowsiness caused by Paxil.
Paxil may cause side effects that may affect your thoughts or reactions. Be careful when you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. What are the possible side effects of Paxil? Obtain an ambulance if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: rash or hives; Difficulty breathing; Swelling of the face, lips, or throat. Contact your doctor if you have any following side effects, especially if new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, irritability, restlessness, 'aggressiveness, severe agitation, mania (mental and / or physical hyperactivity), suicidal thoughts or injure yourself. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious side effects:
Entering (convulsions);
Wobbles, chills, muscle stiffness or twitching;
Problems of balance or coordination; Or
The agitation, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
Feeling nervous, agitated or unable to sit still;
Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;
Problems with sleep (insomnia);
Nausea, constipation, loss of appetite;
Changes in weight;
Decreased libido, impotence, or difficulty reaching orgasm; Or
Dry mouth, yawning, or ringing in your ears.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs affect Paxil? Talk to your doctor before taking any medication for pain, arthritis, fever, or inflammation. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and " . By taking any of these medicines with Paxil can make you bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking Paxil, talk to your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
Atomoxetine (Strattera), cimetidine (Tagamet), lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith), risperidone (Risperdal), St. John's wort, tramadol (Ultram), or tryptophan (also called L - tryptophan);
Heart rate medications such as flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rhythmol);
An anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin);
All other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or sertraline (Zoloft);
A phenothiazine as prochlorperazine (Compazine), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), and others; Or The almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), zolmitriptan (Zomig).
If you use any of these medications, you may not be able to use Paxil, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that may affect Paxil. Tell your doctor about all other prescription and non-prescription drugs you are using. This includes vitamins, minerals, products made from plants, and medications prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new drug without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information about Paxil? Your pharmacist has additional information about Paxil written for health professionals which can be viewed. What does my medication looks? Paroxetine is available with a prescription under the brand names Paxil, Paxil CR and Pexeva. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist your questions about this product, especially if it is new to you.
Paxil 10 mg -- oval, yellow, film-coated tablets scored
Paxil 20 mg -- oval, pink, scored film-coated tablets
Paxil 30 mg -- oval, blue, film-coated tablets scored
Paxil 40 mg -- oval, green, film-coated tablets scored
Paxil CR 12.5 mg -- round yellow, film-coated tablets
Paxil CR 25 mg -- round, pink, film-coated tablets
Paxil CR 37.5 mg to turn blue, film-coated tablets
Paxil 10 mg d '/ 5 mL with orange-colored orange-flavored oral suspension
Remember, keep this and all medicines out of reach of children, never share your medications with others, and using it only for the particular required. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc ( "Multum ') is accurate, current and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by practitioners and health care consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not guarantee that the use outside the United States are appropriate, unless otherwise noted. Multum Information on drugs does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum drug information is an information resource designed to help health practitioners allowed to care for their patients and / or serve consumers viewing this service as a complement, not replace, expertise , the skills, knowledge and judgment of health care practitioners. The absence of a warning for a drug or drug combination in no way should be interpreted to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for the same patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided Multum. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or side effects. If you have any questions about the medications you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

What are the different kinds of antidepressants?

Antidepressants are put into groups according to which chemicals in the brain they affect. There are many different types of antidepressants, including: Inhibitors selective serotonin reuptake (SSRIs) The citalopram (brand name: Celexa) Escitalopram (brand name: Lexapro) Fluoxetine (brand name: Prozac) Paroxetine (trade name: Paxil, Pexeva) The sertraline (brand name: Zoloft) These drugs tend to have fewer side effects than other antidepressants. Some side effects that may be caused by SSRIs dry mouth, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, headaches and sexual problems. Tricycliques The amitriptyline (brand name: Elavil) Desipramine (brand name: Norpramin) The imipramine (brand name: Tofranil) Nortriptyline (brand name: Aventyl, Pamelor) The side effects caused by these drugs are dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, worsening glaucoma, impaired thinking and fatigue. These antidepressants may also affect a person in blood pressure and heart rate. And Serotonin reuptake inhibitors of norepinephrine (SNRIs) The venlafaxine (trade name: Effexor) Duloxetine (brand name: Cymbalta) Some side effects caused by these drugs are nausea and loss of appetite, anxiety and nervousness, headaches, insomnia and fatigue. Dry mouth, constipation, weight loss, sexual problems, increased heart rate and high cholesterol may also occur. Noradrénaline and inhibitors of dopamine reuptake (NDRIs) The bupropion (brand name: Wellbutrin) Some side effects in people taking NDRIs include restlessness, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite and insomnia. It can also cause high blood pressure in some people. Handsets and reuptake inhibitors of receptor blockers Trazodone (brand name: Desyrel) Néfazodone (brand name: Serzone) The maprotiline Mirtazpine (brand name: Remeron) Adverse effects of these drugs are drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea and dizziness. If you have liver problems, you should not take nefazodone. If you have seizures, you should not take maprotiline. Monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Isocarboxazid (brand name: Marplan) Phénelzine (brand name: Nardil) Tranlcypromine (brand name: Parnate) MAOIs are used less frequently than other antidepressants. They can have serious side effects, including weakness, dizziness, headaches and tremors. Taking an MAOI antidepressant while you are taking another antidepressant or some OTC medicines for colds and flu can cause a dangerous reaction. The doctor can also tell you what foods and alcoholic beverages you should avoid while you are taking an MAOI. You should not take an MAOI unless you understand clearly what medicines and foods to avoid. If you take an MAOI and your doctor wants you to start taking any of the other antidepressants, he or she must have stopped taking MAOIs for some time before starting the new medicine. This gives time MAOI clearly out of your body. Back to top Antidepressants will affect my other medicines? Antidepressants can affect many other drugs. If you are going to take an antidepressant, ask your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, including the free sale of herbal medicines and health products (such as St. John's Wort). Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your medicines can cause problems when combined with an antidepressant.