Antidepressant Medications Anti-depressant Drugs Antidepressant: paroxetine, Paxil, Aropax, Seroxat, Aroxat

Antidepressant: paroxetine, Paxil, Aropax, Seroxat, Aroxat

Generic Name: paroxetine
Brand Name(s): Paxil, Aropax, Seroxat, Aroxat
Common Use: Antidepressant

Paroxetine is a potent and selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This activity of the drug on brain neurons is thought to be responsible for its antidepressant effects.

For symptomatic relief of depressive illness. Clinical trials have provided evidence that continuation treatment with paroxetine in patients with moderate to moderately severe depressive disorder is effective for at least 6 months.

Paroxetine is contraindicated in patients who are known to be hypersensitive to the drug.
Paroxetine should not be used in combination with MAO inhibitors or within 2 weeks of terminating treatment with MAO inhibitors. Treatment with paroxetine should then be initiated cautiously and dosage increased gradually until optimal response is reached. MAO inhibitors should not be introduced within 2 weeks of cessation of therapy with paroxetine.

Adverse Side Effects

The most commonly observed adverse experiences associated with the use of paroxetine were:
Nausea, somnolence, sweating, tremor, asthenia, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia and male sexual dysfunction (primarily ejaculatory delay).

The most common events (reported by at least 1% of subjects) associated with discontinuation included: asthenia, headache, nausea, somnolence, insomnia and abnormal ejaculation. All other events associated with discontinuation occurred at rates of 1% or less.

Adverse Experience Reports:

Frequent:

Malaise, pain. Infrequent: Allergic reaction, chills, face edema, infection, moniliasis, neck pain, overdose. Hypertension, syncope, tachycardia, Pruritus. Nausea and vomiting, Weight gain, weight loss. CNS stimulation, concentration impaired, depression, emotional lability, amnesia, ataxia, convulsion, depersonalization, hallucinations,

Infrequent: Bradycardia, conduction abnormalities, ECG abnormal, hypotension, migraine, ventricular extrasystoles. Rare: Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, atrial arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, bundle branch block, cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, extrasystoles, low cardiac output, myocardial infarct, myocardial ischemia, pallor, phlebitis, pulmonary embolus, supraventricular extrasystoles, thrombosis, varicose vein, vascular headache. Acne, alopecia, dry skin, ecchymosis, eczema,

Rare:

Abnormal laboratory value, abscess, adrenergic syndrome, cellulitis, chills and fever, cyst, hernia, intentional overdose, neck rigidity, pelvic pain, peritonitis, substernal chest pain, ulcer.

Some patients may experience discontinuation effects such as dizziness/lightheadedness, gastrointestinal complaints, headache, agitation/restlessness and sleep disturbance in the period immediately following the discontinuation of paroxetine treatment. These events are generally mild and transient.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdosage with paroxetine include nausea, vomiting, tremor, dilated pupils, dry mouth and irritability. There are no reports of ECG abnormalities, coma or convulsions following overdosage with paroxetine alone.

No specific antidote is known. Treatment should consist of those general measures employed in the management of overdose with any antidepressant.Supportive care with frequent monitoring of vital signs and careful observation is indicated.

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