Class:
Serotonin-reuptake inhibitor antidepressantAre You Depressed - This Tool Will Help You Decide
Form:
- Paxil: 10mg (yellow), 20mg (pink), 30mg (blue) and 40mg (green) tablets
- Paxil CR: 12.5mg (yellow), 25mg (pink) and 37.5mg (blue) tablets
Dosage:
- Paxil: the typical initial dose is 20mg/day but can be increased if needed up to 50mg/day
- Paxil CR: PAXIL CR should be administered as a single daily dose, usually in the morning. Patients should be started on 12.5 mg/day. Dose changes should occur in 12.5-mg/day increments and at intervals of at least 1 week. The maximum dosage should not exceed 75 mg/day.
Instructions:
- Paxil & Paxil CR (paroxetine) should be administered once daily in the morning
- may be taken with or without food
- the tablet should be swallowed rather than chewed.
Side effects to report to your doctor:
- sexual dysfunction (ejaculatory delay)
- insomnia or somnolence (drowsiness)
- nausea / vomiting /diarrhea
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- tremor
Precautions & Drug Interactions:
- In order to minimize the opportunity for overdosage, prescriptions for paroxetine should be written for the smallest quantity of drug consistent with good patient management.
- Don't take with MAOIs, thioridazine or pimozide.
- Never stop taking Paxil or Paxil CR abruptly. Doing so may result in serious side effects.
- Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thinking in children and adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders.
For More Information:
For more information on Paxil and Paxil CR try About.com's Drug Finder.For more medication fact sheets
