Paroxetine
Also sold as: Seroxat, Paxil
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 20 mg once a day in the morning with food. The doctor may raise it slowly. Do not stop it suddenly — withdrawal symptoms are common with this medicine.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- drowsiness
- sweating
- dry mouth
- sexual problems
- weight gain
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- fever with stiff muscles and confusion
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- seizures
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Taking an MAO inhibitor antidepressant
- Pregnancy, especially the first 3 months (avoid unless the doctor says so)
- Young people under 25 (watch closely for suicidal thoughts)
- Epilepsy (use with caution)
- Narrow-angle glaucoma (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Dextromethorphan
Paroxetine raises dextromethorphan levels and the combination can cause serotonin syndrome.
- Tramadol
Together they raise the risk of serotonin syndrome and seizures, and tramadol works less well.
Moderate5 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Aripiprazole
Paroxetine raises aripiprazole levels; the dose may need to be lowered.
- Codeine
Paroxetine blocks the change of codeine into its active form, so pain relief may be poor.
- Risperidone
Paroxetine raises risperidone levels and its side effects.
- Sumatriptan
The combination can rarely cause serotonin syndrome.
- Warfarin
Paroxetine can increase the bleeding risk with warfarin.