Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant that’s FDA-approved to treat several mental health conditions. Paxil is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which alter serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood.
Paxil is approved to treat:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Off-label (meaning it hasn’t been FDA-approved to treat but has been found effective), Paxil can be prescribed to treat OCD in children and irritable bowel syndrome.
Research shows that Paxil is one of the most potent SSRIs on the market. While it can effectively treat multiple mental health conditions, it’s important to note that like most medications, it also has side effects. In fact, Paxil might have more side effects than some other SSRIs. Before you take Paxil (or any medication), it’s important to talk to your doctor about potential risks you should be aware of.
Psychiatry and prescriptions online
Get an evaluation and prescription online from a licensed psychiatric provider to improve your well-being.
Being conscious of potential consequences is critical — continue reading to learn about the various side effects of Paxil you should know about before starting treatment.
Common Side Effects of Paxil
Many side effects of Paxil are mild and subside as your body adjusts to the medication.
Side effects of Paxil can include:
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Risk of bleeding
- Weight gain
Nausea
Nausea is one of the side effects Paxil can cause. Nausea can vary in intensity, but typically subsides within a few days or weeks. If you experience nausea while taking Paxil, you might want to try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day or taking your medication with/without food.
Sleeping problems
Sleeping problems are another common side effect associated with taking Paxil. This could mean experiencing difficulty falling asleep or waking up unexpectedly during the night. If you’re having issues falling or staying asleep lately, try going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and limiting your use of electronics before bedtime.
Drowsiness
According to some research, Paxil use may cause more drowsiness than other antidepressants. However, this often subsides once you become accustomed to Paxil’s effects on your body.
Weakness
Weakness is another side effect that Paxil users experience. This, too, will likely resolve as you become used to the medicine. If the fatigue becomes too much, your doctor might want to consider talking about reducing your dose so you don’t feel overwhelmed throughout your day.
Sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is an unfortunate possibility when using SSRIs like Paxil. Some research suggests Paxil might have the highest rate of sexual dysfunction of all the drugs in this class. This is because Paxil affects hormones responsible for libido, thus leading to a reduced desire for intercourse and other issues like delayed ejaculation.
Risk of bleeding
There is an increased risk of bleeding when taking SSRIs such as Paxil. That said, this isn’t necessarily something you need to worry about unless you have other risk factors for bleeding.
Weight gain
Weight gain is generally associated with Paxil more than other SSRIs. How much you might gain depends heavily upon factors like lifestyle choices, body chemistry, and weight before starting Paxil. Learn more about Paxil weight gain for more information.
“Decreased sexual desire, delayed ejaculation, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation are common side effects. Please reach out to your doctor if they get worse.”
– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger
Serious Side Effects of Paxil
Paxil may help treat depression and anxiety, but it can also bring about severe adverse reactions.
Serotonin syndrome
Excess serotonin in the body can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a potential side effect that is more common in people who take higher doses of Paxil.
Symptoms include agitation, confusion, sweating, muscle twitching and spasms, fever, and increased heart rate. If you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome while on Paxil — or any other SSRI antidepressant — get medical help immediately.
Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
When stopping Paxil suddenly or reducing the dosage too quickly, it can lead to what’s known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. This occurs when your brain can’t adjust quickly enough to lower serotonin levels.
Common signs may involve feeling queasy, lightheadedness, exhaustion, and flu-like sensations such as aches and chills. In some cases, there may also be vivid dreams or nightmares that could last up to several weeks after stopping the medication abruptly. To avoid this type of reaction, it’s best to slowly reduce your dose over time with guidance from your doctor rather than quitting cold turkey on your own.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
It is essential that healthcare providers closely monitor people taking Paxil long-term, as the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors may occur in rare cases. Report any agitation, restlessness, irritability, hostility, aggression, or impulsivity — particularly if you’re having suicidal thoughts — so you can receive immediate attention.
How Long Do Paxil Side Effects Last?
When using Paxil, first-week side effects can be worse for some people. Side effects can vary in duration and severity depending on the individual. Many people may experience some level of adverse reactions for up to a month after beginning the medication. After this period, it’s common for symptoms to subside. In very rare instances, side effects can last longer than 4 weeks.
“Waiting for side effects to resolve after 1 – 2 weeks is recommended. This works for gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Sexual side effects may not resolve with time. Communicate with your doctor if you have concerns.”
– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger
Long-Term Side Effects of Paxil
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) notes there generally aren’t any serious, common long-term side effects of Paxil you need to be concerned with, as long as you use the medication as directed.
How to Manage Paxil Side Effects
Be mindful of the potential repercussions when utilizing Paxil. Addressing the possible side effects can help ensure you gain maximum benefit from the prescription drug. Here are some tips for managing Paxil side effects:
- Start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed — Starting at a lower dose may reduce the risk of experiencing specific side effects like nausea or headaches. Discuss with your doctor the best dosage for your symptoms.
- Take with food — Taking Paxil with food may reduce stomach upset or other digestive issues.
- Stay hydrated — Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day can help minimize dizziness and lightheadedness caused by Paxil use.
- Avoid alcohol — Alcohol consumption should generally be avoided while on any type of antidepressant medication, including Paxil, as it can interfere with its effectiveness and cause unwanted reactions in some people.
- Exercise regularly — Regular exercise has positive benefits on mental health. Make sure not to overexert yourself during workouts if you feel tired or weak due to medication usage.
- Monitor mood changes closely — If experiencing any sudden changes in mood while taking Paxil, contact your doctor immediately so they can provide medical advice and can adjust your dosage if necessary or recommend alternative treatment options.
If side effects do not disappear, talk to a doctor before stopping Paxil medication. Stopping suddenly can result in Paxil withdrawal symptoms.
See If Paxil Is Right for You with Talkspace Psychiatry
Despite its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions, Paxil can cause adverse effects that should be considered before usage. Talkspace Psychiatry provides an online platform for people wanting to explore if Paxil is right for them. Connect with licensed psychiatrists and mental health care providers who specialize in mental healthcare and medication management.
Talkspace offers comprehensive assessments of each patient’s medical history and current symptoms to determine whether or not Paxil would be a good fit for their needs. If they do find it a good fit, they may prescribe you Paxil online as part of your treatment plan. Get started with Talkspace today.
Sources:
- PAXIL- paroxetine hydrochloride tablet, film coated . U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/industry/fda-data-standards-advisory-board/structured-product-labeling-resources. Accessed March 26, 2023.
- Davis BA, Nagarajan A, Forrest LR, Singh SK. Mechanism of paroxetine (paxil) inhibition of the serotonin transporter. Scientific Reports. 2016;6(1). doi:10.1038/srep23789. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep23789. Accessed March 26, 2023.
- Marken PA. Selecting a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders. 2000;2(6). doi:10.4088/pcc.v02n0602. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181142/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
- Montejo AL, Llorca G, Izquierdo JA, Rico-Villademoros F. Incidence of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant agents: a prospective multicenter study of 1022 outpatients. J Clin Psychiatry. 62(3):10-21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11229449/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
- Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA. A comparative review of Escitalopram, Paroxetine, and sertraline. International Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2014;29(4):185-196. doi:10.1097/yic.0000000000000023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4047306/. Accessed March 26, 2023.
- Paroxetine (paxil). NAMI. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/paroxetine-(paxil). Accessed March 26, 2023.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
