General Info: Uses and Effects

This is an oral drug that belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is used as an antidepressant for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder, society anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and depressive disorder. The medicine is available both as oral suspension as well as oral capsule. The drug influences the neurotransmitters in the brain stimulating nerve cells trying to remove the imbalance in neurotransmitters that many experts believe to be the prime cause behind depression. The drug which was approved by Food and Drug Administration in 1992 also issued a caution in 2003 which stated that it should not be used by children. The drug is however not related to other kinds of antidepressants chemically. This medication is a prescription drug which should not be used without medical supervision.

Contraindication: Important to Know

There are several contraindications associated with the usage of the drug. These conditions in patients maybe pregnancy, risk of angle-closure glaucoma, broken bone caused by disease or illness, restlessness, seizures, serious renal health issue, health issues related to esophagus or duodenum, bleeding in stomach, liver health issues, close angle glaucoma, adverse medicine reaction causing serotonin syndrome, suicidal thoughts, manic-depression, behavior associate with too much cheerfulness or activity, high risk of bleeding, less amount of sodium in blood, improper antidiuretic hormone selection syndrome. This drug has the most severe warning from the Food and Drug Administration which is called a black box warning. The medications may enhance suicidal thoughts during initial months of therapy or when the amount of the dose is changed. Younger adults, teenagers and children are more prone to facing this situation when using the drug. Supervision is recommended of any mood changes. It may even make the depression worse during initial medication or when the dose of the medication is changed which cause severe mood swings, aggressiveness, irritability, panic attacks, trouble going to sleep, restless behavior or acting negligently and dangerously. It can also a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome the symptoms being coordination issues, coma, thinking problems, hallucinations or confusion. It is not advised to discontinue the medication course suddenly and the proper process is gradual when the treatment is to be stopped which should be done under the strict supervision of a doctor. The symptoms of stopping the drug usage may comprise of the following conditions such as nausea, dizziness, sweating, headache, sleeping habit changes, restlessness or anxiety. The patient needs to disclose the doctor of his/her medical history which is includes the medical history of the family also relating mental health, liver and kidney problems, bleeding problems or glaucoma. This medication is not advised to be used by pregnant females.

Instructions on taking

The medication guide if available should be understood or consulting the pharmacist or doctor is always recommended. The drug is taken by mouth with or without food normally once during the daytime. The tablets are not supposed to be chewed or crushed inside the mouth it should be swallowed whole. For patients who are taking the drug for treating premenstrual problems the doctor may suggest for consuming the medication daily for a month or for about two weeks before the period begins till the first complete day of the period. Even if the patient does not feel well the therapy should not stopped except upon consulting the doctor as some related conditions may worsen if the treatment is discontinued. The complete benefits may take up to several weeks after the treatment begins. The doctor should always be informed of any worsening conditions or if the health of the patient does not show any improvement. The risks are serious if the medication is not consumed as prescribed.

Dosage

The dosage is determined according to age of the patient, how the patient reacts to the first dosage, other medical conditions, severity of the medical condition, the specific medical condition for which treatment is sought.

For major depressive disorder in adults aged eighteen to sixty four years the dosage should be the minimum which works for the patient. Immediate release tablets (Paxil, Pexeva) the dosage is 20 mg in a day, the doctor may increase the dosage by 10mg is it is not sufficient. For extended-release oral tablets (Paxil CR) the dosage is 25 mg per day which the doctor may increase by 12.5 mg if not sufficient, the maximum dosage being 62.5 mg in a day. Oral extended release tablets (Paxil CR) the dosage is 25 mg in a day which maybe increased weekly by 12.5 mg per day, the maximum dosage being 62.5 mg.

In children younger than eighteen years of age the safety and effectiveness of the medication has not been approved yet.

For patients above sixty five years of age immediate release tablets (Paxil, Pexeva) the dosage is 10 mg in a day not exceeding 40 mg per day, extended-release oral tablets (Paxil CR) the dosage is 12.5 mg per day not exceeding 50 mg per day.

For patient with serious kidney issues immediate release tablets (Paxil, Pexeva) the dosage is 10 mg in a day not exceeding 40 mg per day, extended-release oral tablets (Paxil CR) the dosage is 12.5 mg per day not exceeding 50 mg per day, for patients with serious liver issues immediate release tablets (Paxil, Pexeva) the dosage is 10 mg in a day not exceeding 40 mg per day, extended-release oral tablets (Paxil CR) the dosage is 12.5 mg per day not exceeding 50 mg per day.

Side Effects

The usage of this drug causes both common and serious side effects. Some of the common side effects maybe infections, yawning, constipation, sweating, impotence, delayed ejaculation, weakness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness or serious ones such as worsened depression, serotonin syndrome, eye problems, mania, seizures, bone fracture or low sodium levels.

Interaction with Other Drugs

The drug should not be taken along with MAO inhibitors. It also interacts with warfarin and vitamin K products. The interaction may influence the effectiveness in absorption of the drug resulting in decrease in benefits or causing unwanted effects. Drug interactions can be avoided by giving health experts complete details of diet, alcohol intake or herbal remedies.