Paxil (paroxetine) & Paxil CR (controlled release paroxetine)

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• Paxil: 10mg (yellow), 20mg (pink), 30mg (blue) and 40mg (green) tablets
• Paxil CR: 12.5mg (yellow), 25mg (pink) and 37.5mg (blue) tablets

• 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.

• 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.

• sexual dysfunction (ejaculatory delay)
• insomnia or somnolence (drowsiness)
• nausea / vomiting /diarrhea
• dry mouth
• dizziness
• tremor

• 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.

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