Paxil also known as Paroxetine, Aropax and Seroxat is one of the most popular and powerful selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on the market. In addition to use as an antidepressant, Paxil is prescribed to treat panic attacks, PTSD, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. First released in 1992 by GlaxoSmithKline, Paxil is one the all-time bestselling drugs. According to data from the pharmaceutical industry, there were more than 18 million prescriptions for Paxil and generic Paroxetine in 2007 with annual sales totaling more than $1 billion. Despite soaring sales, Paxil and generic forms of Paroxetine have been linked to increased suicide risk; withdrawal symptoms and adverse side effects in children, adolescents and adult patients.
Common Side Effects of Paxil
Like many SSRI antidepressants, Paxil causes nausea, sexual side effects, sleep issues and a waking stupor known as somnolence. Prescription documentation reports approximately one quarter of patients experienced nausea and another quarter experienced somnolence while 13% experienced ejaculatory disturbance and 10% experienced male genital disorders. Side effects experienced by one in every ten patients included weakness, dizziness, insomnia, sweating, dry mouth, constipation and tremors. A study published in the Harvard Review of Psychology found patients also experienced high blood pressure, irritability, headaches, tingling and numbness, weight gain and impaired short-term memory.
Paxil Risks and Warnings
In 2004, studies on SSRIs, including Paxil, showed a correlation between increased suicide rates in adolescents and young adults. Studies from the National Institute of Mental Health and the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency warn against prescribing the medication to pediatric patients due to the risk of suicide increasing from 2% to 4%. According to the manufacturers of Paxil, the use of antidepressants could play a part in inducing the worsening of depression or the emergence of suicidal thoughts in the early phases of treatment. Due to the high risk of developing withdrawal symptoms, which include convulsions in unborn children, pregnant women are cautioned against taking Paxil and all patients are urged to slowly reduce doses over the course of several weeks. According to data from the World Health Organization, Paxil was the most difficult drug to come off of when compared to other SSRIs.
Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.
