paroxetine

Brand names: Paroxetine

# Paroxetine: What You Should Know Paroxetine is a medicine used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and certain other mental health conditions. It works by helping balance chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters, which affect your mood and feelings. This medication is taken by mouth, usually once a day, and can take several weeks to start working. Your doctor will figure out the right dose for you based on your condition and how your body responds to the medicine. Like all medicines, paroxetine can cause side effects and has important safety warnings. One key safety rule is that you should never take paroxetine if you're already taking certain other medicines called MAOIs, because mixing them together can be dangerous and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. You should always tell your doctor about all the other medicines and supplements you're taking before starting paroxetine. If you're pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor first because paroxetine may affect your baby. Common side effects include nausea, headaches, and trouble sleeping, but many of these get better over time as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Known Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 9 presents clinically significant drug interactions with paroxetine. Table 9 Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Paroxetine Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact The concomitant use of SSRIs, including paroxetine, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Paroxetine is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Pimozide and Thioridazine Clinical Impact Increased plasma concentrations of pimozide and thioridazine, drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, may increase the risk of QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. Intervention Paroxetine is contraindicated in patients taking pimozide or thioridazine [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Other Serotonergic Drugs

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE6,207 reports
  • DRUG WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME6,197 reports
  • NAUSEA6,068 reports
  • DIZZINESS5,410 reports
  • ANXIETY5,358 reports
  • FATIGUE5,339 reports
  • HEADACHE4,764 reports
  • DEPRESSION4,271 reports
  • INSOMNIA3,849 reports
  • DIARRHOEA3,825 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with paroxetine:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.