Paxil Side Effects - Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms
Paxil is the brand name of the generic drug paroxetine. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder, among others. While treatment for these disorders with Paxil is undeniably helpful in most cases, there are some well-known Paxil side effects and Paxil withdrawal symptoms when the medication is stopped abruptly.
Paxil Side Effects: The most common Paxil side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, diarrhea, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, yawning, constipation and dry mouth. In many cases, the side effects of Paxil are mild, but they may become overwhelming to some people. There are also other more serious Paxil side effects. You should call your doctor if you are taking Paxil and experience any of the following Paxil side effects:
Loss of appetite, mood swings or severe mood changes, unusual fatigue, increased sweating, high fever, decreases in sexual interest, changes in sexual ability or physical tremors or uncontrolled movements. Even one Paxil side effect in this category is cause for concern and you should immediately notify your doctor.
Finally, these uncommon Paxil side effects are very serious, and you should notify your doctor or health provider immediately if you experience any of them:
Blurred vision, decreased or increased urination, coffee ground vomit, black stools, easy bruising or bleeding, fainting, irregular heartbeat, seizures, irregular heartbeat, unusual swelling or trouble swallowing
Any of the above Paxil side effects could become fatal if left untreated.
Perhaps the most publicized Paxil side effect is an increase in suicidal thoughts. This is most often reported in children and adolescents being treated with Paxil. It is because of this Paxil side effect that the drug is not recommended or approved for use in children under the age of eighteen.
Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms: Paxil belongs to the SSRI family of antidepressants. SSRIs are known to cause withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly. Most patients who stop taking Paxil will probably experience "two to three days of flu-like symptoms". For about 4-10% of Paxil users, however, the Paxil withdrawal symptoms will be far more severe and may include a laundry list of symptoms ranging from bursting into tears to heart palpitations. The list of possible Paxil withdrawal symptoms includes hot/cold flashes, sweating, nightmares, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, panic attacks, depersonalization, anxiety attacks, severe mood swings and suicidal thoughts.
Because of the possible severity of Paxil withdrawal, many doctors recommend tapering off by slowly reducing the dose of Paxil prescribed, and others substitute another SSRI anti-depressant during the withdrawal period to lessen the symptoms.