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Paxil - Risks and Benefits
What is paxil?
Paxil is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Paxil intended purpose is to restore the balance of serotonin, a natural chemical in the brain, which may help to improve various mood issues.
Paxil is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Paxil has a list of potential risks and side effects -- some listed in our Paxil Side Effects section.
Important Note: Paxil is not FDA approved for children. The FDA states the following:
There is currently no evidence that Paxil is effective in children or adolescents with MDD (major depressive disorder), and Paxil is not currently approved for use in children and adolescents.
How is paxil taken?
Paxil is taken orally in pill form. The pills should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.
What are risks of Paxil?
A partial lists of Paxil's risks provided by the Food and Drug Administration:
- Possible life-threatening serotonin syndrome when used with triptan medicines.
- Infant persistent pulmonary hypertension
- Suicidal thoughts or actions: Persons taking Paxil may be more likely to think about killing themselves or actually try to do so, especially when Paxil is first started or the dose is changed. People close to persons taking Paxil can help by paying attention to changes in user’s moods or actions. Contact your healthcare professional right away if someone using Paxil talks about or shows signs of killing him or herself. If you are taking Paxil yourself and you start thinking about killing yourself, tell your healthcare professional about this side effect right away.
- Stopping Paxil: Do not stop taking Paxil suddenly because you could get side effects. Your healthcare professional will slowly decrease your dose.
- Bleeding problems: Paxil may cause bleeding problems, especially if taken with aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or other drugs that affect bleeding.
- Mania: You may become hyperactive, excitable or elated.
- Seizures: You may experience a seizure (convulsion) even if you are not taking Paxil close in time with a MAOI.
- Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare professional if you are or may be pregnant. In addition to the issue described in the alert, babies delivered to mothers taking Paxil late in pregnancy have developed problems, such as difficulty breathing and feeding. Babies delivered to mothers taking Paxil early in pregnancy are sometimes born with heart problems.
- Sexual problems: You may have problems with impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, or decreased libido (sexual desire).
- Other side effects include weakness, dry mouth, constipation, yawning, infection, diarrhea, sweating, dizziness, tremor, nervousness, nausea, difficulty sleeping, decreased appetite, and sleepiness.
- Tell your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions, especially if you have liver or kidney disease, or glaucoma. Tell your healthcare professional if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed your baby.
Paxil Medical and Legal Assistance
If you believe that you or a love one has suffered a personal injury as a result of taking the drug Paxil, PaxilNews.com has the contacts to assist you.
If you have concerns regarding the latest FDA medical warnings relating to Paxil, please ask our registered nurse. Please note that if your situation requires immediate attention, you should contact your own physician first.
If you would like a no-cost consultation regarding a possible Paxil lawsuit, please use our Paxil Lawyers online form or contact Clark, Dean, Burnett, G.P at 1.888.529.5222.