Medically reviewed by Jessica Swirble, PharmDLast updated on April 1, 2025
Drug Information| | |
Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Paxil is the brand name for this medication.
Paroxetine is a type II and has a similar action to serotonin. It has a shorter half-life, which means that it can take longer to build up in the brain to exert its effect. This means that it can take longer than other SSRIs to exert their effect.
When this medication was first introduced to the market in 2002. It was first approved by the FDA in 2005.
Paroxetine is one of the most commonly used antidepressant medications in the US.
It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and pre-adversarian heart failure.
This medication is available in
It may also be available under several brand names.
The following table lists some of the medications with the word “hormone” and under the brand names Paroxetine HCL, and other similar brand names.
|hormone | condition | class | use | dosage|No. of | inlet/outlet | length of injection | type of use | dosageof pills | inlet/outlet number | name | dosageof tablets | inlet/outlet number | side effects | name | strength | side effect type | strength/ strength ratioof side effects / number | route | strength/ strength ratio | side effect type | side effects | side effect strength | strength/ strength strength/ number | side effect strength/ strength/ numberof side effects | side effect strength | side effect strength/ strength/ number | side effect strength/ strength/ strength | side effect strength/ strength/ strength | side effect strength/ strength/ number | side effect strength/ strength/ number | side effect strength/ strength/ number | side effect strength/ strength/ number | side effect strength/ strength/ strength/ numberof side effects
Paroxetine is available in the following dosage forms: oral suspension, intravenous, intramuscular, intron, and intravenous. Each of these forms is indicated for use in combination with another antidepressant.
Oral Tablet:The oral tablet form is indicated for use in adults 18 years and older with a BMI of 30 or more.Intravenous (IV):This is not a complete treatment; dosages may be prescribed in separate infusion solutions containing different medications.
Oral Suspension:This is only a partial treatment; medications may be compounded for intravenous administration in separate solutions for oral administration. Do not add medication to water unless instructed to do so by a healthcare provider.
If you are using paroxetine in combination with another antidepressant, it is important to follow the prescribed dosage and use it only as directed.
Do not administer two antidepressants simultaneously, even if you have the same condition. Using a different medication may increase the risk of side effects.
Health care providers prescribe Paxil to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, and other mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that negatively affects how you think, behave, and feel. Untreated depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical issues. The symptoms of depression may vary from person to person. They may appear mild in some, while they can be debilitating in others.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition that causes unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts or fears (obsessions). These obsessive thoughts lead individuals to engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Obsessions and compulsions can cause severe mental distress and interfere with everyday life.
Bulimia nervosa, commonly referred to as bulimia," is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder. Those with bulimia will go through episodes of “binge eating,” where they cannot control the amount of food they eat, followed by “purging.” Bulimia, if left untreated, can lead to extremely serious medical complications—even death. Due to the cycle of binging and purging, individuals with bulimia can seriously dehydrate themselves, damage their internal organs (including the heart and kidneys), and erode the enamel of their teeth.
Premenstrual dysphoria disorder is characterized by severe symptoms at the onset of menstruation. PMDD can cause extreme mood swings, irritability, depression, and physical symptoms like breast tenderness.
Paxil is also prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. A person who suffers from an anxiety disorder may have constant feelings of worry, difficulty concentrating, and an inability to relax. If left untreated, anxiety may eventually interfere with work or school performance, personal relationships, and other daily functions.
MorenoRead more:
Symptoms: Income, stress, depression, and unusual tiredness.reet value: Dryness in the mouth or tongue.: A burning feeling behind the eyes.: A tight upper body.: Forgetfulness and poor self-control are common symptoms of an anxiety disorder.: Distressed or even agitated feelings are sometimes present.: Fointment with a therapist or counselor.: Emotional or relationship problems often surface soon after starting treatment.ree: Cold or sore throat.: A general feeling of exhaustion.: Insomnia.: Fever.: Increased sweating.: Pain or discomfort in the chest.: Dry mouth.: Red flushes or a dry one.: Red eyes.: Difficulty with concentration.: Difficulty concentrating.: Difficulty sleeping.: Increased fatigue.: Hot flashes.: High fever.
The FDA has approved Paxil CR, the generic name for Paxil, to treat depression and anxiety. Paxil CR is approved to treat:
Paxil CR is also approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. To determine if Paxil CR is appropriate for your condition, talk to your healthcare provider about the appropriate dosage, any potential side effects, and the risks and benefits.
Paxil CR (paroxetine hydrochloride) is available as a generic form. You can get Paxil CR from your local pharmacy or you can buy it from a local pharmacy.
This medication is for people who have an existing condition or who are taking other medications for depression or anxiety. Paxil CR can cause serious side effects.
If you are prescribed Paxil CR or have questions about the specific effects of this medication, speak to your healthcare provider. This information is for general information purposes only. This information does not constitute or could affect the medical or scientific content of any particular article on this website. This information is for general information purposes only, and it is not meant to be accurate advice or treatment advice. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific information about Paxil CR. You should not use Paxil CR if you have a known allergy to paroxetine (Paxil CR), other medications, or to the drugs used to treat depression or anxiety.
Paxil CR is for immediate release tablets for adults and children ages 6 to 17 years old. This is not a recommended treatment for depression or anxiety disorders.
Paxil CR is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain.
By increasing the levels of serotonin, SSRIs are thought to work by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain. SSRIs may cause or worsen depression and other mental health disorders. The SSRI can increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain.
This medication is supplied in a pack of 10 tablets for oral use. It is supplied in packs of 4 or 8 tablets. It is also available in a pack of 4
Side effects may include:
Contact your doctor or health care provider if these side effects persist for a longer duration or if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Paxil.
You should not use Paxil if you are allergic to paroxetine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
Do not take Paxil if you are not sure if having a seizure disorder, an enlarged prostate gland, or a history of priapism.Do not take Paxil if you are taking (amitriptyline) or do not have a history of priapism.
Do not take Paxil if you are taking pimozide (imipramine) or pramipexole (gemifloxacin).
Paxil comes as a tablet and a capsule to take by mouth. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
You may take Paxil with or without a meal.
If you are not sure what to do, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This medication may interact with other drugs and may affect how well your treatment works.
Most people who take Paxil do not experience any side effects. However, some people may experience symptoms of depression (depression is often described as 'depression'), suicidal thoughts (or thoughts of harming or killing oneself or others), an increased risk of heart problems (e.g. heart failure), changes in blood pressure, weight gain or loss, and changes in cholesterol levels. Tell your doctor if you have any of these serious side effects.
Less serious side effects include:
This list may not describe all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medication, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. If you are not sure whether you should take Paxil, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Paxil is available in 3 different dosages (10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg):
The maximum recommended dose of Paxil is 40 mg per day. Dosage adjustments may be necessary in some patients.
The recommended dosage may be different for children and adolescents. The maximum recommended dose of Paxil for adults is 20 mg daily.
Paroxetine (Paxil) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression and anxiety. Paroxetine can also be used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Paroxetine can also be used to treat depression and anxiety in adults.
Paxil works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, leading to a decrease in feelings of well-being and happiness. Paroxetine does not directly treat the symptoms of depression, but it can help manage certain anxiety disorders.
This medication can be prescribed for people with:
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (also called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or ODD).
• Anxiety (social anxiety disorder).
• Depression. (also called Depression of the Mind or Depression of the Body.)
Paroxetine is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age.
Paroxetine works by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is involved in feelings of well-being and happiness. It can help with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
The chemical composition of paroxetine is different from that of other SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine and fluoxetine HCl.
Paroxetine is available in different forms, including tablets, capsules, and orally disintegrating tablets.
To get the most out of Paroxetine, it is recommended to take it at the lowest dose.