Paroxetine

Antidepressant
 Dosage forms
• This product is available in the following dosage forms:
• Tablet
 10mg
 20mg
 30mg
 40mg
• Capsule
 7.5 mg
• Suspension
 10mg/5mL
• Tablet, Extended Release
 12.5mg
 25mg
 37.5mg
Generic Vs. Brand Name
 Why have I been prescribed
paroxetine?
• Paroxetine is a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI).
• These are mainly used for depression but can also be used to
treat
 Anxiety disorders
 Eating disorders
 Panic attacks
 Obsessive-compulsive disorder
 Social phobia
• This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and
energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It
may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number
of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated
tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and
checking) that interfere with daily living.
Is Paroxetine safe to take?
• It is usually safe to take paroxetine regularly as prescribed
by your doctor, but it doesn’t suit everyone.
• Let your doctor know if you have the following, as extra
care may be needed:
 If you have liver or kidney problems or are a heavy
drinker
 If you have diabetes
 If you have seizures
 If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or wish to become
pregnant
 If you suffer from heart problems or bleeding disorders
 How should I take it?
• Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by
your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. Taking this
medication with food may decrease nausea. If this medication
makes you sleepy during the day, then talk to your doctor about
taking it in the evening.

• Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for
longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster,
and your risk of side effects will increase

• The manufacturer directs not to chew/crush the tablet before

taking it. However, many similar drugs (immediate-release
tablets) can be chewed/crushed. Follow your doctor's directions
on how to take this medication.
When I feel better, can I stop
taking my paroxetine?
• No
• If you've been feeling better for 6 months
or more, your doctor may suggest coming
off paroxetine. Your doctor will probably recommend
reducing your dose gradually over several weeks.
 Are there any medicines that I
should avoid or take care with?
• Always tell your doctor what you are taking and ask your
pharmacist before you buy any “over-the -counter” medicines.
• SSRIs can interact with a range of medicines including warfarin,
lithium, other antidepressants, some cough mixtures, and some
pain relief medications, in particular tramadol (Tramal®) and
sumatriptan (Imigran®). Avoid “over-the-counter” medicines
containing codeine (Panadeine®, Codral®, Nurofen Plus®,
Mersyndol® and Pirophen®), and the antihistamines loratadine
(Lora-tab®, Claratyne®) and promethazine (Phenergan®).
What are the side effects?
What are the side effects?
What are the side effects?
Reference
• 2019. Paroxetine: Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake
Inhibitor Antidepressant. 1st ed. [ebook] Christchurch:
Hillmorton Hospital Pharmacy, pp.1-4. Available at:
<https://edu.cdhb.health.nz/Patients-Visitors/patient-
information-pamphlets/Documents/Paroxetine-PIL-
0699.pdf> [Accessed 10 June 2020].