Tuesday, September 11, 2018 by Michelle Simmons
Paroxetine is an antidepressant drug that belongs to a group called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMMD). This drug affects brain chemicals that may be unbalanced in people with depression, anxiety, or other disorders.
Paroxetine should not be used by the following:
- People taking pimozide or thioridazine
- People who recently used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People allergic to paroxetine
Paroxetine is sold in the brand name Brisdelle, Paxil, Paxil CR, and Pexeva.
Known side effects of paroxetine
The common side effects of paroxetine include the following:
- Changes in ability to taste food
- Changes in sex drive or ability
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Flushing
- Forgetfulness
- Gas
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Lump or tightness in throat
- Muscle weakness or tightness
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Pain in the back, muscles, bones, or anywhere in the body
- Painful or irregular menstruation
- Sensitivity to light
- Sleepiness or feeling ”drugged”
- Sore teeth and gums
- Stomach pain
- Sweating
- Tenderness or swelling of joints
- Unusual dreams
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Weight loss or gain
- Yawning
The serious side effects of paroxetine include the following:
- Abnormal bleeding or bruising
- Black and tarry stools
- Bloody vomit
- Bone pain
- Chest pain
- Difficult, frequent, or painful urination
- Difficulty breathing
- Fainting
- Fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, and severe muscle stiffness or twitching
- Hallucinating
- Hives
- Hoarseness
- Itching
- Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, arms, or legs
- Painful erection that lasts for hours
- Peeling or blistering of skin
- Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Red blood in stools
- Seizures
- Skin rash
- Sore throat, fever, chills, cough, and other signs of infection
- Sudden muscle twitching or jerking that you cannot control
- Sudden nausea, vomiting, weakness, cramping, bloating, swelling, tightness in hands and feet, dizziness, headache and/or confusion
- Swelling, itching, burning, or infection in the vagina
- Tenderness, swelling, or bruising of one part of your body
- Tiny red spots directly under the skin
- Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- Unsteady walking that may cause falling
- Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Body systems that may be harmed by paroxetine
The body systems harmed by paroxetine include the psychiatric, nervous, metabolic, cardiovascular, urinary, reproductive, dermatologic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and immune systems.
Food items or nutrients that have similar effects to paroxetine
The following food, nutrients, and herbs have similar effects to paroxetine, as they are natural antidepressants:
Treatments, management plans for the paroxetine’s side effects
Headache, a side effect of paroxetine, can be treated naturally by drinking water, taking magnesium supplements, and avoiding foods rich in histamine.
Where to learn more
Summary
Paroxetine is an antidepressant drug.
Paroxetine has many side effects that affect the psychiatric, nervous, metabolic, cardiovascular, urinary, reproductive, dermatologic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and immune systems.
Sources include:
Drugs.com 1
Drugs.com 2
MedlinePlus.gov
Healthline.com 1
Healthline.com 2