Paxil vs. Irenka

Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) and Irenka (duloxetine capsule) are antidepressants used to treat major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders.

Paxil is also used to treat panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Irenka is also used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Paxil and Irenka are different types of antidepressants. Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and Irenka is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Side effects of Paxil that are different from Irenka include nervousness, restlessness, nasal irritation, weight changes, decreased sex drive, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, yawning, and ringing in the ears.

Side effects of Irenka and Paxil that are similar include nausea, headache, dry mouth, drowsiness, sleep problems (insomnia), constipation, and dizziness.

Side effects of Irenka that are different from Paxil include fatigue, diarrhea, decreased appetite, increased sweating, and abdominal pain.

Both Irenka and Paxil may interact with alcohol, other antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, cimetidine, theophylline, tramadol, tryptophan, triptans for migraine, fentanyl, and St. John's wort.

Paxil may also interact with other drugs that can make you sleepy (cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines for seizures or anxiety), fosamprenavir, ritonavir, tamoxifen, heart medications, and medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Do not stop using Paxil suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Irenka may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), fluoroquinolone antibiotics, aspirin, aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids, caffeine, desipramine, lithium, and buspirone.

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.

Common side effects of Irenka include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• insomnia,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• diarrhea,
• decreased appetite,
• increased sweating, and
• abdominal pain

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).

Irenka (duloxetine capsule) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

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.

Irenka may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), cimetidine, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, warfarin, aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids, theophylline, caffeine, desipramine, alcohol, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John's wort. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

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

The dose of Irenka is 40 mg/day (given as 20 mg twice daily) to 60 mg/day (given either once daily or as 30 mg twice daily) for major depressive disorder, and 60 mg/day for generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.