What are the Paxil side effects?
Common side effects include:
• headache;
• tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
• urinary retention, constipation;
• tachycardia (sudden, rapid racing of the heart);
• profuse sweating;
• postural hypotension (decrease in blood pressure when you sit or stand);
• nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
• sleepiness or insomnia;
• sexual side effects like decreased libido (sex drive), impotence; and
• social dysfunction.
Paxil is also associated with withdrawal symptoms that could occur when dosages are dramatically decreased or patients are discontinuing treatment. It is estimated that approximately four to ten percent of Paxil users will experience extreme adverse Paxil withdrawal symptoms, though others may experience more mild Paxil withdrawal symptoms. The onset of Paxil withdrawal symptoms usually occurs between one to three days following the discontinuation of treatment and can last for many months in more severe cases. A period of two to six weeks is the average time patients experience Paxil withdrawal symptoms. For some people, the symptoms of Paxil withdrawal are among the most horrifying experiences imaginable. The following are some of the more mild symptoms:
• Dizziness, extreme nausea, crying spells, light headedness
• Vertigo, coordination problems, gait disturbance, sweating, vomiting
• High fever, abdominal discomfort, flu symptoms, agitation,
• Irritability, aggression, sleep disturbance, nightmares, tremor
• Confusion, lethargy, malaise, weakness, general fatigue
• Memory & concentration difficulties, intense insomnia, extremely vivid dreams
• Extreme confusion during waking hours, fear of losing your sanity
• Depersonalization, feeling of existing outside of reality, panic attacks
• Memory and concentration problems, suicidal thoughts, dizziness/vertigo
• Severe mood swings, extreme irritability and anger, unsteady gait
• Electric feeling shocks throughout your body, slurred speech, headaches
• Profuse sweating, muscle cramping, blurred vision, decreased appetite
• Outbursts of tears for no apparent reason, nausea, abdominal cramping hypersensitivity to motion, sounds, smells, loss of appetite, chills/hot flashes
Some of the more severe symptoms can include, but are not limited to: extreme mania possibly involving delusions and hallucinations, the paradoxical effect of causing or making depression worse, intense anxiety and agitation, the development of compulsions and obsessions, and akathisia. Akathisia causes extreme agitation, discomfort and loss of motor control and is considered to be one precursor to the hostile, violent, suicidal and homicidal behaviors that occur with both Paxil use and Paxil withdrawal symptoms. There may be other withdrawal symptoms in addition to those listed here. See a doctor immediately.
If you are diagnosed as suffering from withdrawals that may be linked with your use of Paxil, contact a Paxil lawyer now. If you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks, or if you take thioridazines you should not take Paxil.
Other Paxil FAQs
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Q:
What is Paxil?
A: Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is an antidepressant medication that is part of a family of drugs called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil is … More -
Q:
How does Paxil work?
A: Depression and anxiety disorders are believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. One of these chemicals is serotonin, which helps send electrical … More -
Q:
What is Akathisia?
A: Akathisia refers to the peculiar state of mental and motor restlessness that cause a state of "inner agitation." A person suffering from Akathisia is … More -
Q:
What is depression?
A: It is estimated that 19 million Americans suffer from depression every year. Depression is not a weakness or a character flaw-it is an actual medical illness leading … More -
Q:
What is Anxiety Disorder?
A: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a medical illness that requires attention from a qualified healthcare professional. It involves intense feelings of being … More -
Q:
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
A: Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, usually begins in adolescence and is often most severe in the late teens and the 20s. In 25% of … More -
Q:
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
A: OCD symptoms can occur in people of all ages. It can start at any time from preschool age to adulthood (usually by age 40). In the United States, 1 out of 50 adults … More -
Q:
What is Post Traumatic Stress Symdrome?
A: Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) can affect anyone at any age who has been exposed to a traumatic event where he/she experienced terror, threat (or perceived … More -
Q:
What are the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome?
A: People who have been exposed to traumatic experiences may notice any number of symptoms in almost any combination. The symptoms for PTSD are divided into three … More