{"id":604898492722,"title":"Paxil Review: Pros, Cons \u0026 Health Risks","created_at":"2023-02-28T15:54:54-05:00","body_html":"\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\/\/ \u003c![CDATA[\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"Paxil Review: Pros, Cons \u0026 Health Risks\",\n \"keywords\": \"paxil, paxil review, paxil reviews, paxil side effects, paxil withdrawal, paxil generic, side effects of paxil, paxil medication, paxil dosage, paxil for anxiety, what is paxil, what is paxil used for, paxil generic name, paxil withdrawal symptoms, does paxil cause weight gain, dosage of paxil, generic for paxil\",\n \"description\": \"Our research team reviews clinical studies on Paxil to determine if it's effective for treating depression and anxiety. We document side effects of the drug, explain if it causes weight gain and feature real, unsponsored Paxil user reviews.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/paxil-review\",\n\"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"editor\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Devin Dunatov\",\n \"honorificSuffix\": \"M.D.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/devin-dunatov\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/devin-dunatov\/\",\n \"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/psychiatrists\/devin-dunatov-addiction-psychiatry-scottsdale-az\/819540\"\n ],\n \"jobTitle\": \"Mental Health Reviewer\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"depression, anxiety, ADHD, therapy, mental health, psychology, psychiatry, medication, FDA, clinical research, addiction\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": [\n \"University of Texas Southwestern\",\n \"Medical College of Wisconsin\",\n \"Creighton University School of Medicine\",\n \"University of Arizona\"\n ]\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"image\": {\n\"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Paxil_Thumbnail.png?v=1677617906\",\n\"width\": \"2154\",\n\"height\": \"2154\"\n},\n\"citation\": [\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24696195\/\", \n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2211353\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/1487471\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/1531828\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5044489\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11411817\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10994679\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15853560\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6415809\/\",\n\"https:\/\/costplusdrugs.com\/medications\/paroxetine-10mg-tablet\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/paxil\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/8602387\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2012\/020031s067,020710s031.pdf\",\n\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/comments\/paroxetine\/paxil.html\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10926053\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4175016\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK526022\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33826190\/\"\n],\n\"mentions\": [{\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"FDA\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"SSRI\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"717StreetMedia\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"generalized anxiety disorder\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"paroxetine\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"Cost Plus Drugs\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"GoodRx\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"Drugs.com\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"JJMedicine\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"StatPearls\"\n }\n],\n\"datePublished\": \"2023-02-28\",\n\"copyrightHolder\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n},\n\"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/\",\n \"description\": \"Illuminate Labs is the most transparent supplement company in the U.S., and is a leading publisher of research-based health information.\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"supplements, science, nutrition, exercise, health, medication, pharmaceutical, wellness, diet, weight loss, medical research\",\n \"publishingPrinciples\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/editorial-guidelines\",\n \"memberOf\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"U.S. Chamber of Commerce\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uschamber.com\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Certified B Corp\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/en-us\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Natural Products Association\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.npanational.org\/\"\n }\n ], \n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Illuminate_Labs_Favicon_48x48_7595c3cc-e27b-47b8-a4fe-edcc7ed9b29a.png?v=1666502785\", \n \"width\": 48,\n \"height\": 48\n},\n \"foundingDate\": \"2019-01-30\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/illuminate-labs-supplements\",\n \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCpgSJAsIPb-fZ25djtTxBEA\"\n ]\n }\n}\n\/\/ ]]\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Paxil_Review_Article_Header_Image_Optimizedf.png?v=1677617499\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDisclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to prescription medication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dc\"\u003eP\u003c\/span\u003eaxil is a prescription medication that’s FDA-approved for the treatment of depression along with some other mental conditions like anxiety and panic disorder. It’s one of the oldest prescription antidepressants, having been initially approved in 1992.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe generic version of the drug is called paroxetine, and we’ll use these terms interchangeably throughout this review as they refer to the same active drug ingredient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBut is Paxil proven to be effective for relieving depression? Does it cause any side effects? Is the generic version as effective as the brand-name version? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of Paxil?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we review clinical studies on Paxil to determine if it’s effective and what its side effects are. We’ll also explain if the generic version is as effective and share real, unsponsored Paxil user reviews.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDoes Paxil Eliminate Depression?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil has been studied in many clinical trials for its effects on depression.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA 2014 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24696195\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e compared the efficacy of Paxil and other antidepressant drugs. The study authors concluded that Paxil is the most potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, meaning it’s theoretically more powerful than other SSRI drugs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2211353\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emeta-study\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCanadian Medical Association Journal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e examined data on the effectiveness of Paxil in depressed patients. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 patients and reported that Paxil did reduce depression scores compared to placebo pills, but only to a “modest” degree.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/1487471\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e on Paxil, published in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe Journal of Clinical Psychiatry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, tested how much it could reduce depression in patients with major depression. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eOver 40% of those taking Paxil experienced a “full clinical response,” meaning their depression was effectively eliminated.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe can conclude from the available research that Paxil is effective for treating depression. But does it cause side effects? We’ll answer in the next section.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDoes Paxil Cause Side Effects?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Paxil_Black_Box_Warning_Optimized.png?v=1677617521\" alt=\"Paxil black box warning\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil does cause side effects in some patients. The “black box” warning shown above is required by the FDA when a medication has a risk of severe and life-threatening side effects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn the case of Paxil, the risk that prompts the warning is suicide risk. According to the drug’s label, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003epediatric and young adult patients are at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors when taking Paxil.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe more common side effects of Paxil are milder. A \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/1531828\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e on the drug’s side effects reported that gastrointestinal disturbances and nausea are the most common. The review notes that in most patients, the drug is “very well tolerated.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5044489\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ereview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePsychopharmacology Bulletin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e described Paxil as having \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e“serious side and adverse drug effects” including birth defects, heart abnormalities and some types of cancer.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe recommend that patients speak to their doctor about the risk of these side effects, and young adult patients may wish to speak to their doctor about alternative medications that aren’t associated with increased suicide risk in their demographic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReal, Unsponsored Paxil User Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA YouTube creator named “717StreetMedia” claims that Paxil improved his life significantly:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jaKftQvY-Qs\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA YouTube creator named “BeyondBipolarBlog” claims to have experienced side effects from Paxil:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rhIPIJeEDZw\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Paxil Treat Anxiety?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil is FDA-approved and indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder. It’s also been studied for the treatment of all three conditions in clinical trials.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11411817\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe Journal of Clinical Psychiatry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e found that Paxil significantly reduced anxiety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA 2000 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10994679\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e found that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaxil reduced social anxiety scores by around 30% after 12 weeks of treatment.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15853560\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e on Paxil for the treatment of panic disorder found the drug to be effective, and states that the drug is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association for the treatment of panic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBased on the available research we conclude that Paxil is effective for treating various types of anxiety. This data suggests that Paxil may be a good option for patients with both depression and anxiety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIs Generic Paxil As Effective?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAs referenced in the intro to this article, the generic version of Paxil is called paroxetine. These medications contain the exact same active ingredient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe generally recommend that patients speak with their doctor about the generic version of drugs, because they should be equally effective but are often significantly cheaper (especially for those without health insurance).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA 2019 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6415809\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e analyzed data from over 3 million patients to compare the safety and efficacy of brand-name versus generic drugs. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneric drugs were found to be equivalent, which suggests that generic paroxetine should be equally effective and safe as Paxil.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eParoxetine costs only $4.50 for 30 pills on Cost Plus Drugs (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/costplusdrugs.com\/medications\/paroxetine-10mg-tablet\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003elink\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e), while the average retail price for Paxil is currently $24.56 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/paxil\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eaccording to\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e GoodRx.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDoes Paxil Cause Withdrawals?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil can cause withdrawals in some patients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/8602387\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ereview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePharmacotherapy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e journal documents serious adverse effects experienced by three patients who abruptly discontinued use of Paxil. All three patients reported serious sleep disturbances and dizziness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2012\/020031s067,020710s031.pdf\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFDA label\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e reports the following withdrawal symptoms: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003esadness, irritability, anger, dizziness, sensory disturbances, headache, anxiety, confusion, tiredness and more.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe risk of withdrawals is why it’s so important for patients to work with their doctor if they choose to stop taking Paxil. A doctor can set up a research-backed tapering schedule that gradually reduces intake of the drug, which reduces the risk of side effects and withdrawal symptoms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReal Patients Review Paxil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil has been reviewed over 900 times \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/comments\/paroxetine\/paxil.html\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eon Drugs.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, which is a website that allows patients to publish ratings and share personal reviews of medications they’re taking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe drug has a score of 6.4 out of 10 for depression, 7.2 out of 10 for anxiety and 7.7 out of 10 for social anxiety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe top positive review of Paxil for depression is written by a user named “Tyres” who claims the drug relieved many of their symptoms:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"This medication has been very potent to improve my anxiety\/depression disorders. No more suicidal thoughts, fear, mood swings, shaking, sweating, anxiety(SAD \u0026amp; GAD), and the list goes on.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e If you're suffering from severe anxiety and depression, then take the Paxil. I am taking 40mg max dose with no side effects.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe top negative review of Paxil for depression comes from a user named “Skye” who gives the drug a 1\/10 rating and claims it caused side effects and withdrawal symptoms:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“I took it for about 2.5 months and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ehad chronic diarrhea the whole time\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e which only seemed to get worse as time went on. And of course the usual sexual side effects that come with SSRIs…I've never had a problem coming off of any type of medication in my life but this is HORRIBLE. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrain zaps, nightmares, highly increase depression and crying spells. This stuff is freaking poison to my body. I would never recommend this to anyone.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat Should I Avoid While On Paxil?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA YouTube creator named “JJ Medicine” who’s a medical resident has a video on foods and drugs to avoid while taking Paxil (and other SSRIs) due to potential negative interactions. It’s an informative video with over 800,000 views:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gVdQn9B5shc\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDoes Paxil Cause Weight Gain?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePatients are often curious about whether Paxil causes weight gain, given that many SSRI meds have this side effect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10926053\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e on weight gain and antidepressants reported that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaxil was more likely than other SSRI drugs to cause weight gain. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil was not shown to cause weight gain when taken at a low dose of 7.5 milligrams (mg), according to a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4175016\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMenopause\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e journal. Participants in this trial took the drug for up to 24 weeks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt appears based on the medical research that Paxil at a low dose does not cause weight gain, but Paxil at a moderate-to-high dose may cause weight gain. In light of this research, we would recommend that overweight and obese individuals speak with their doctor about whether their Paxil dose is likely to cause weight gain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat Dosage is Paxil Prescribed At?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil is prescribed at a variety of doses according to the severity of the patient’s symptoms, according to a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK526022\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published by StatPearls.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor major depression, adults typically start at 20 mg and may increase dose by 10 mg up to a maximum of 50 mg daily.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eElderly patients have a maximum dose of 40 mg daily.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor anxiety, adults typically start at 20 mg daily and increase to a max of 60 mg daily.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePatients taking Paxil for panic disorder typically start at 10 mg daily and increase to a max of 60 mg daily.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDoctors will typically prescribe a patient Paxil at the lowest dose of the effective range to start, because this can reduce the risk of side effects. If the patient experiences benefits at the lowest dose, they may stay at that dose. If they fail to experience benefit, their doctor may slowly increase their dose.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOur Mental Wellness Recommendation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Mental_Health_Image.png?v=1667787512\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe recommend a platform called \u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/brightside.pxf.io\/0J4W3M\"\u003eBrightside\u003c\/a\u003e to patients dealing with mental health issues. It's an online therapy and medication platform that connects patients with licensed doctors and therapists from the comfort of their home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33826190\/\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/a\u003e published in the \u003cem\u003eClinical Psychology \u0026amp; Psychotherapy\u003c\/em\u003e journal found that \u003cstrong\u003eonline therapy was equally effective to in-person therapy for treating depression, anxiety and PTSD.\u003c\/strong\u003e Therapy may be a good first option for patients who want to avoid the side effects of medication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrightside also can connect patients with licensed psychiatrists that can prescribe medication. Some patients choose only therapy, some choose only medication, and some choose both. The brand reports that \u003cstrong\u003e86% of members feel significantly better within 12 weeks of treatment.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatients with and without health insurance can use Brightside. For many patients with health insurance, treatment is entirely covered by insurance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cost for medication without health insurance is capped at $95\/month and the cost for therapy without health insurance is capped at $299\/month.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInterested patients can check out Brightside \u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/brightside.pxf.io\/0J4W3M\"\u003eat this link\u003c\/a\u003e to the brand's official website.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil is proven in research studies to effectively treat depression, anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorder.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe medication may increase risk of suicide in children and young adults, so for individuals in these groups it may make sense to consider other options. Paxil can also cause milder side effects like dizziness and nausea in adults.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePaxil can cause withdrawals if stopped abruptly, so it’s important that patients considering quitting Paxil speak with their doctor first to set up a tapering schedule.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor patients considering Paxil, we would recommend speaking with your doctor about the generic paroxetine instead, since it should be equally effective but may be much cheaper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":49281925193,"author":"Calloway Cook","user_id":26601750601,"published_at":"2023-02-28T16:04:11-05:00","updated_at":"2023-02-28T16:04:11-05:00","summary_html":"We review clinical studies on Paxil to determine if it's effective for treating depression and anxiety. We document side effects of the drug, explain if it causes weight gain and feature real, unsponsored Paxil user reviews.","template_suffix":"","handle":"paxil-review","tags":"_related:anti-anxiety, _related:antidepressant"}

Paxil Review: Pros, Cons & Health Risks

Paxil Review: Pros, Cons & Health Risks


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Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to prescription medication.

Paxil is a prescription medication that’s FDA-approved for the treatment of depression along with some other mental conditions like anxiety and panic disorder. It’s one of the oldest prescription antidepressants, having been initially approved in 1992.

The generic version of the drug is called paroxetine, and we’ll use these terms interchangeably throughout this review as they refer to the same active drug ingredient.

But is Paxil proven to be effective for relieving depression? Does it cause any side effects? Is the generic version as effective as the brand-name version? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of Paxil?

In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we review clinical studies on Paxil to determine if it’s effective and what its side effects are. We’ll also explain if the generic version is as effective and share real, unsponsored Paxil user reviews.

Does Paxil Eliminate Depression?

Paxil has been studied in many clinical trials for its effects on depression.

A 2014 medical review compared the efficacy of Paxil and other antidepressant drugs. The study authors concluded that Paxil is the most potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, meaning it’s theoretically more powerful than other SSRI drugs.

A meta-study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal examined data on the effectiveness of Paxil in depressed patients. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 patients and reported that Paxil did reduce depression scores compared to placebo pills, but only to a “modest” degree.

A clinical trial on Paxil, published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, tested how much it could reduce depression in patients with major depression. Over 40% of those taking Paxil experienced a “full clinical response,” meaning their depression was effectively eliminated.

We can conclude from the available research that Paxil is effective for treating depression. But does it cause side effects? We’ll answer in the next section.

Does Paxil Cause Side Effects?

Paxil black box warning

Paxil does cause side effects in some patients. The “black box” warning shown above is required by the FDA when a medication has a risk of severe and life-threatening side effects.

In the case of Paxil, the risk that prompts the warning is suicide risk. According to the drug’s label, pediatric and young adult patients are at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors when taking Paxil.

The more common side effects of Paxil are milder. A medical review on the drug’s side effects reported that gastrointestinal disturbances and nausea are the most common. The review notes that in most patients, the drug is “very well tolerated.”

A review published in the Psychopharmacology Bulletin described Paxil as having “serious side and adverse drug effects” including birth defects, heart abnormalities and some types of cancer.

We recommend that patients speak to their doctor about the risk of these side effects, and young adult patients may wish to speak to their doctor about alternative medications that aren’t associated with increased suicide risk in their demographic.

Real, Unsponsored Paxil User Reviews

A YouTube creator named “717StreetMedia” claims that Paxil improved his life significantly:

A YouTube creator named “BeyondBipolarBlog” claims to have experienced side effects from Paxil:

Can Paxil Treat Anxiety?

Paxil is FDA-approved and indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder. It’s also been studied for the treatment of all three conditions in clinical trials.

A clinical trial published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that Paxil significantly reduced anxiety.

A 2000 clinical trial found that Paxil reduced social anxiety scores by around 30% after 12 weeks of treatment.

A medical review on Paxil for the treatment of panic disorder found the drug to be effective, and states that the drug is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association for the treatment of panic.

Based on the available research we conclude that Paxil is effective for treating various types of anxiety. This data suggests that Paxil may be a good option for patients with both depression and anxiety.

Is Generic Paxil As Effective?

As referenced in the intro to this article, the generic version of Paxil is called paroxetine. These medications contain the exact same active ingredient.

We generally recommend that patients speak with their doctor about the generic version of drugs, because they should be equally effective but are often significantly cheaper (especially for those without health insurance).

A 2019 medical review analyzed data from over 3 million patients to compare the safety and efficacy of brand-name versus generic drugs. Generic drugs were found to be equivalent, which suggests that generic paroxetine should be equally effective and safe as Paxil.

Paroxetine costs only $4.50 for 30 pills on Cost Plus Drugs (link), while the average retail price for Paxil is currently $24.56 according to GoodRx.

Does Paxil Cause Withdrawals?

Paxil can cause withdrawals in some patients.

A review published in the Pharmacotherapy journal documents serious adverse effects experienced by three patients who abruptly discontinued use of Paxil. All three patients reported serious sleep disturbances and dizziness.

Paxil’s FDA label reports the following withdrawal symptoms: sadness, irritability, anger, dizziness, sensory disturbances, headache, anxiety, confusion, tiredness and more.

The risk of withdrawals is why it’s so important for patients to work with their doctor if they choose to stop taking Paxil. A doctor can set up a research-backed tapering schedule that gradually reduces intake of the drug, which reduces the risk of side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Real Patients Review Paxil

Paxil has been reviewed over 900 times on Drugs.com, which is a website that allows patients to publish ratings and share personal reviews of medications they’re taking.

The drug has a score of 6.4 out of 10 for depression, 7.2 out of 10 for anxiety and 7.7 out of 10 for social anxiety.

The top positive review of Paxil for depression is written by a user named “Tyres” who claims the drug relieved many of their symptoms:

"This medication has been very potent to improve my anxiety/depression disorders. No more suicidal thoughts, fear, mood swings, shaking, sweating, anxiety(SAD & GAD), and the list goes on. If you're suffering from severe anxiety and depression, then take the Paxil. I am taking 40mg max dose with no side effects.”

The top negative review of Paxil for depression comes from a user named “Skye” who gives the drug a 1/10 rating and claims it caused side effects and withdrawal symptoms:

“I took it for about 2.5 months and had chronic diarrhea the whole time which only seemed to get worse as time went on. And of course the usual sexual side effects that come with SSRIs…I've never had a problem coming off of any type of medication in my life but this is HORRIBLE. Brain zaps, nightmares, highly increase depression and crying spells. This stuff is freaking poison to my body. I would never recommend this to anyone."

What Should I Avoid While On Paxil?

A YouTube creator named “JJ Medicine” who’s a medical resident has a video on foods and drugs to avoid while taking Paxil (and other SSRIs) due to potential negative interactions. It’s an informative video with over 800,000 views:

Does Paxil Cause Weight Gain?

Patients are often curious about whether Paxil causes weight gain, given that many SSRI meds have this side effect.

A medical review on weight gain and antidepressants reported that Paxil was more likely than other SSRI drugs to cause weight gain. 

Paxil was not shown to cause weight gain when taken at a low dose of 7.5 milligrams (mg), according to a clinical trial published in the Menopause journal. Participants in this trial took the drug for up to 24 weeks.

It appears based on the medical research that Paxil at a low dose does not cause weight gain, but Paxil at a moderate-to-high dose may cause weight gain. In light of this research, we would recommend that overweight and obese individuals speak with their doctor about whether their Paxil dose is likely to cause weight gain.

What Dosage is Paxil Prescribed At?

Paxil is prescribed at a variety of doses according to the severity of the patient’s symptoms, according to a medical review published by StatPearls.

For major depression, adults typically start at 20 mg and may increase dose by 10 mg up to a maximum of 50 mg daily.

Elderly patients have a maximum dose of 40 mg daily.

For anxiety, adults typically start at 20 mg daily and increase to a max of 60 mg daily.

Patients taking Paxil for panic disorder typically start at 10 mg daily and increase to a max of 60 mg daily.

Doctors will typically prescribe a patient Paxil at the lowest dose of the effective range to start, because this can reduce the risk of side effects. If the patient experiences benefits at the lowest dose, they may stay at that dose. If they fail to experience benefit, their doctor may slowly increase their dose.

Our Mental Wellness Recommendation

We recommend a platform called Brightside to patients dealing with mental health issues. It's an online therapy and medication platform that connects patients with licensed doctors and therapists from the comfort of their home.

medical review published in the Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy journal found that online therapy was equally effective to in-person therapy for treating depression, anxiety and PTSD. Therapy may be a good first option for patients who want to avoid the side effects of medication.

Brightside also can connect patients with licensed psychiatrists that can prescribe medication. Some patients choose only therapy, some choose only medication, and some choose both. The brand reports that 86% of members feel significantly better within 12 weeks of treatment.

Patients with and without health insurance can use Brightside. For many patients with health insurance, treatment is entirely covered by insurance.

The cost for medication without health insurance is capped at $95/month and the cost for therapy without health insurance is capped at $299/month.

Interested patients can check out Brightside at this link to the brand's official website.

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Conclusion

Paxil is proven in research studies to effectively treat depression, anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorder.

The medication may increase risk of suicide in children and young adults, so for individuals in these groups it may make sense to consider other options. Paxil can also cause milder side effects like dizziness and nausea in adults.

Paxil can cause withdrawals if stopped abruptly, so it’s important that patients considering quitting Paxil speak with their doctor first to set up a tapering schedule.

For patients considering Paxil, we would recommend speaking with your doctor about the generic paroxetine instead, since it should be equally effective but may be much cheaper.




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