Effexor XR vs. Paxil

• Are Paxil and Effexor XR the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Effexor XR?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Paxil?
• What Is Effexor XR?
• What Is Paxil?
• What Drugs Interact with Effexor XR?
• What Drugs Interact with Paxil?
• How Should Effexor XR Be Taken?
• How Should Paxil Be Taken?

Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release) and Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) are antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorders such as panic and social disorders.

Paxil is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Effexor XR is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) and Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Common side effects of Effexor XR include:

• nausea,
• constipation,
• insomnia,
• dizziness,
• asthenia,
• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• nervousness,
• strange dreams,
• blurred vision,
• changes in appetite or weight,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm, and
• increased sweating.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Effexor XR including:

• easy bruising or bleeding,
• decreased interest in sex,
• changes in sexual ability,
• muscle cramps or weakness, or
• shaking (tremors).

Serious side effects of Effexor XR include clinical worsening of symptoms and suicide risk, especially in younger patients. Tell your doctor if you experience worsening depression or thoughts of suicide while taking Effexor XR.

Common side effects of Paxil include:

• headache,
• nervousness,
• restlessness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• nasal irritation,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• nausea,
• constipation,
• weight changes,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• dry mouth,
• yawning, or
• ringing in the ears.

Call your doctor immediately if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release) is an antidepressant used to treat patients with major depressive disorders such as panic and social disorders. Effexor XR is available as a generic.

Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Effexor XR may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicines for seizures or anxiety), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cimetidine, ketoconazole, linezolid, lithium, haloperidol, tramadol, L-tryptophan, warfarin, almotriptan, frovatriptan, sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, other antidepressants, or other drugs.

Paxil may interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines for seizures or anxiety, other antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, cimetidine, tramadol, L-tryptophan, or medicines to treat migraines.

Paxil may also interact with fentanyl, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, St. John's wort, tamoxifen, theophylline, heart medications, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

You may have withdrawal symptoms (such as agitation, dizziness, numbness or tingling, ringing in your ears, confusion, or behavior changes) after you stop taking Paxil.

The recommended dose of Effexor XR for most patients is 5 mg taken orally twice daily.

The recommended initial dose of Paxil depends on the condition being treated and ranges from 20 mg/day to 50 mg/day.