Brand Names: Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva

Generic Name: paroxetine (Pronunciation: pa ROX a teen)

• What is paroxetine (Paxil)?
• What are the possible side effects of paroxetine (Paxil)?
• What is the most important information I should know about paroxetine (Paxil)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking paroxetine (Paxil)?
• How should I take paroxetine (Paxil)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Paxil)?
• What happens if I overdose (Paxil)?
• What should I avoid while taking paroxetine (Paxil)?
• What other drugs will affect paroxetine (Paxil)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is paroxetine (Paxil)?

Paroxetine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paroxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.

Paroxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Paroxetine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Paroxetine 10 mg-AND

round, white, imprinted with P1, G

Paroxetine 10 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with APO, 097

Paroxetine 10 mg-MYL

oblong, blue, imprinted with N 1, M

Paroxetine 10 mg-PAR

oval, white, imprinted with par 876

Paroxetine 10 mg-TEV

round, yellow, imprinted with 7114, 9 3

Paroxetine 12.5 mg ER-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M P3

Paroxetine 20 mg-AND

round, white, imprinted with P 2, G

Paroxetine 20 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with APO, 083

Paroxetine 20 mg-MYL

oval, blue, imprinted with N 2, M

Paroxetine 20 mg-PAR

oval, white, imprinted with par 877

Paroxetine 20 mg-TEV

round, pink, imprinted with 7115, 9 3

Paroxetine 25 mg ER-MYL

round, lavender, imprinted with M P4

Paroxetine 30 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with APO, 084

Paroxetine 30 mg-MYL

round, blue, imprinted with M N3

Paroxetine 30 mg-PAR

oval, white, imprinted with par 878

Paroxetine 30 mg-TEV

round, blue, imprinted with 7116, 93

Paroxetine 40 mg-APO

oval, white, imprinted with 101, APO

Paroxetine 40 mg-MYL

round, blue, imprinted with M N4

Paroxetine 40 mg-PAR

oval, white, imprinted with par 879

Paroxetine 40 mg-TEV

round, green, imprinted with 7121, 93

Paxil 10 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with PAXIL, 10

Paxil 20 mg

oblong, pink, imprinted with PAXIL, 2 0

Paxil 30 mg

oblong, blue, imprinted with PAXIL, 30

Paxil 40 mg

oblong, green, imprinted with PAXIL, 40

Paxil CR 12.5 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with PAXIL CR, 12.5

Paxil CR 25 mg

round, pink, imprinted with PAXIL CR, 25

Paxil CR 37.5 mg

round, blue, imprinted with PAXIL CR, 37.5

Pexeva 10 mg

oval, white, imprinted with POT 10

Pexeva 20 mg

oval, orange, imprinted with POT 20

Pexeva 30 mg

oval, yellow, imprinted with POT 30

Pexeva 40 mg

oval, pink, imprinted with POT 40

What are the possible side effects of paroxetine (Paxil)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• unusual bone pain or tenderness, swelling or bruising;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), coughing up blood;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes, feeling like you might pass out;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or
• headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious side effects may include:

• feeling restless or nervous;
• mild headache, drowsiness, dizziness;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• mild nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
• weight changes;
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or
• dry mouth, yawning, or ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about paroxetine (Paxil)?

Do not take paroxetine together with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue (Urolene Blue), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before you take paroxetine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, seizures, glaucoma, bipolar disorder, or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

Paroxetine may cause heart defects or serious lung problems in a newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking paroxetine, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.