A doctor will likely suggest that a person gradually tapers their dosage of Paxil. Tapering typically lasts for 4 weeks , but for Paxil, a doctor may suggest tapering the medication over 6—8 weeks to reduce the risk of symptoms.
However, the longer a person has been taking Paxil and the higher their dosage, the longer it may take them to taper the drug. The doctor may suggest switching to another antidepressant with a longer half-life, which may be easier to taper or cause fewer symptoms.
Mind suggests the following self-care tips to ease the process of stopping antidepressant use:. Learn more about how to safely stop antidepressants here. Although it is important for people to maintain good health during pregnancy, it is not advisable to use Paxil while attempting to become pregnant, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding. If a person is planning on becoming pregnant, they should ask a healthcare professional how best to manage their medication.
Paroxetine is a category D pregnancy drug. This means that it may cause adverse effects to the fetus, such as heart complications. For this reason, a person should only use the drug during pregnancy in very serious cases.
Paroxetine can also pass into breast milk in small amounts. However, the amount is likely too small to be harmful. A doctor may also advise a person who continues taking Paxil to keep themselves well.
They can advise if the fetus is healthy, if a person should continue taking the drug, and if they are able to breastfeed. A person should speak with a doctor if they begin to experience severe withdrawal symptoms or continue to experience symptoms after finishing their medication. The doctor will be able to advise on the best course of action to provide relief from discontinuation symptoms.
If the person experiences suicidal thoughts , is at risk of self-harm, or may hurt another person, they need immediate help. In some cases, a person may require a reintroduction to Paxil or another SSRI due to severe or persistent symptoms.
After tapering an antidepressant medication, a doctor may recommend therapy or counseling if the underlying condition remains. This may help a person understand, manage, and overcome the underlying cause of their depression or other mood disorder.
Deciding to discontinue antidepressant use requires serious consideration. A person should discuss it with a doctor and follow their advice on discontinuing Paxil. Due to the short half-life of the drug, it is common for people to experience discontinuation symptoms. Discontinuation symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, and brain zaps. Gradually tapering Paxil may help prevent or reduce discontinuation symptoms, but this process can take many weeks or months.
People can also try some self-care tips — such as eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and exercising regularly — to further reduce their symptoms. People may also wish to consider therapy and counseling. First, you should work closely with your health care provider.
Second, you should never just stop the medication. Probably the all-time best way to experience antidepressant withdrawal is to just suddenly stop the medication. Doing this is a shock to the nervous system, which has adjusted its neurotransmitter release based on the presence of the antidepressant.
In the case of medications like Paxil that affect serotonin, we believe most of the withdrawal symptoms are related to a sudden increase in serotonin activity for which body and brain are not prepared. The first thing a good clinician will do is closely examine whether stopping the Paxil is a good idea in the first place. If you have been on the medication for 10 years and are emotionally stable, it might be the right thing to do.
Even if it makes sense to do this, a good clinician will be carefully watching, not just for withdrawal symptoms, but also for any sign that the psychiatric condition that prompted you to take the medication in the first place isn't coming back.
The trick to lowering your chances of having these symptoms is to reduce the dose of the antidepressant as slowly as possible. For people who are really sensitive it can take months to get off an antidepressant slowly enough to avoid withdrawal symptoms. But remember that most people can stop an antidepressant cold and won't have symptoms. Whether you would be similarly fortunate or more unlucky is probably not a question you should test out.
Rather, I recommend starting to work with your clinician to slowly lower the dose. If you feel fine you might try lowering the dose more rapidly as it feels comfortable. Previous question: Can antidepressants raise liver enzymes? Next question: My son hears suicidal voices. What can I do? People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania. Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences for example, excessive buying sprees.
Medical attention should be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers.
Exposure of paroxetine to the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy can increase the risk of cardiovascular malformations. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy second and third trimesters , there is a risk that the baby can be born before it is fully developed before 37 weeks. This is a potentially fatal condition that is associated with use of the antidepressant in the second half of pregnancy. However, women who discontinued antidepressant therapy were five times more likely to have a depression relapse than those who continued their antidepressant.
If you are pregnant, please discuss the risks and benefits of antidepressant use with your health care provider. Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks. The dose usually ranges from 10 mg to 40 mg 75 mg for controlled release. Only your health care provider can determine the correct dose for you.
If you are taking paroxetine for PMDD, it can be taken once daily everyday or intermittently usually starting 14 days prior to menstruation through the first full day of menses of each cycle. Discuss this with your prescriber. The liquid should be measured with a dosing spoon or oral syringe which you can get from your pharmacy. They should not be chewed, crushed, or broken. Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication.
You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication. If you miss a dose of paroxetine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose.
Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time.
Low sodium blood levels symptoms of low sodium levels may include headache, weakness, difficulty concentrating and remembering , teeth grinding, angle closure glaucoma symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death , seizure. Discontinuation syndrome abrupt discontinuation may include nausea, sweating, dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances as electric shock sensations, tremor, anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, ringing in the ears, and seizures.
SSRI antidepressants including paroxetine may increase the risk of bleeding events. Combined use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e. This may include gums that bleed more easily, nosebleed, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Some cases have been life threatening. Hypersensitivity to paroxetine. Call your health care provider if you get rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
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